Perfect, Peace. Receive God’s peace through prayer.

“You will keep him in perfect [shalom] peace [shalom], whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” (Isa 26:3)

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6-7)

Reading: Isa 25-27; 1Cor 7

Perfect is actually the repeated word “shalom.” God is emphasizing peace “You will keep him in peace peace…”, and the translators decided it meant “You will keep him in perfect peace…”

There is a Hebrew word for perfect [tamiym], which was not used in Isa 26:3. It is as if the Holy Spirit’s way to emphasize God’s peace was to repeat the word shalom, “peace peace”. Do you enjoy God’s peace? Do you need more of God’s peace? As you gaze at the Lord through His word, His peace will be available to you to receive it.

In the New Testament, the Greek word for perfect is teleios. There are many ways in which this word is used.

“Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matt 5:48)

“I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” (Jn 17:23)

“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2Cor 12:9)

“But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.” (1Pet 5:10)

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” (1Jn 4:18)