“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You” (Isa. 26:3 NKJ).
Part One
Perfect peace is a good translation of this phrase from the Hebrew Old Testament. In the original text the words read shalom shalom. This double word indicates a dual peace internally and externally.
This verse promises us an inner peace that stays with us 24 hours a day. According to Romans 14:17 the kingdom of God within us is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Isaiah 32:17 promises us a work of inner peace that will also bring us calm confidence, settled assurance, and abiding trust. This inner peace is the one quality that can hold us together when everything in the world about us is falling apart.
When you read the newspaper and find Bible prophecies being fulfilled, you may wonder how God’s people are going to survive all the violence and turmoil ahead. Inner peace is the sustainer which will assure our holding steady in a turbulent world.
This verse also promises an external peace. Inner-city Christians have discovered this peace. Soldiers on the battlefield and workers in hectic offices and noisy factories have learned to draw from it.
Once, where I worked there was a fellow employee who enjoyed heckling me. I called on God in prayer and He gave me this verse: When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him (Prov. 16:7 NKJ).
As a result, an external peace came into a work place where turmoil and confusion had reigned before. I discovered and enjoyed both inner and outer peace in that situation.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.