” The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3 BSB).

It is now 1:51 in the morning and I have given up on sleep. So I came downstairs to meditate on scripture and pray. This as my go-to habit when I can’t sleep. The time has been sweet, refreshing my spirit, and reveals so much about myself and God.

The Lord prompted me to share with you step by step, as it is happening, what my time looks like.

Supplies:

• Bible
• Writing Utensils (Highlighter, Pen)
• Online Commentary
• Journal

Steps:

• Read through the first time without notes
• Highlighted verses that stood out to me
• Wrote out thoughts or questions in margins (can be done in a journal as well)
• Looked up parts I didn’t understand
• Looked for context words (i.e. lots of battle terms)
• Prayed for understanding throughout, for myself, and for you
• prayed for rest

Perfect Peace=Perfect Trust
(What I learn about God and myself in each verse)

• God’s Character/My Character
• Our Salvation/Strong City
• Open Gates/Faithful
• Keeps in Peace/Steadfast Mind
• Rock Eternal/Trust Lord Forever
• Humbles Prideful/The Oppressed Win
• Upright/Smooth Path
• His Judgment Teaches Righteousness/Student
• Worthy of Praise/Wait, Obey, Know Him
• Majesty/ Experience Evil Because of God’s Grace for All Mankind
• Authority/Protected From Enemies
• Establishes Peace/Open to His Good Things
• Lord and Ruler/ Honor His Name No Matter Who Rules Over Me
• Destroys Oppressor/Temporary Suffering
• Glorified Through the Righteous/Repent and Cry Out
• Disciplines the Wicked/I Suffer If I Do Not Do What is Right or Bring Salvation to Others

Questions:

• What does “perfect peace” mean? vs 3
• What is the significance of a upraised hand? vs 11

Lest you be intimidated by the fact that I am looking up the Hebrew translation of the verses, realize this, I love languages. I am a word girl. We lose some depth of meaning through our English translation, so I try to look at the original. This is a desire God placed in me as an aspect of my delight in scripture. Reading the original aids in my understanding. By no means do you have to do this, and I would actually caution, anyone beginning to read scripture for the first time to keep it simple.

At the core, my basic reading pattern looks like this:

• Read
• Question
• Apply

Indeed, the Hebrew revealed something I didn’t see before. “Perfect peace” could literally be translated “peace peace”. By doubling up, the writer is implying this is complete, without a shadow of a doubt peace. It doesn’t come from man building security on high. It comes from God fortifying our lives, protecting us day and night, and trusting him to do what is right for us.

God has been chiseling away at the hard places in me where I lean on my own understanding and don’t trust him (i.e. my daughter’s health) and revealing over and over his trustworthiness.

Going back to my list again, what developed as I read is the following:

• Read–God’s actions my response (looked for in each verse)
• Question– What is the significance of God’s hand being raised? (I figure a kingly gesture of judgment, like a gavel)
• Apply–God is trustworthy in my family’s health. Run to him for healing and direction. He will not let me down. Rest in his faithfulness.

Blessing and and peace peace dear brothers and sisters.