I woke up early this morning. Too early. Too early to get up but too late to go back to sleep. So I just lay in bed thinking….then I began to fret – worry – about what all I needed to do and the fact I didn’t think I had gotten enough sleep. I am sure you know the feeling! Frustrating. Maddening.

I prayed for those that came to mind. I recited all the Bible verses I could think of – which is sadly, too few.

I began to recite Isaiah 26:3. As I did, I thought I will just stay on this verse a while – use it for meditation. “Thou wilt keep him (me) in perfect peace whose (me) mind is stayed on Thee.” I took it piece by piece, word by word.

Thou:  God. The Almighty. The One who loves and knows me best. My redeemer and friend.

Wilt: not “may”, not “hope and wish” – but will.

Keep: He holds it. Things don’t slip through HIs fingers. Secure.

Him (me):

In: Not on the outside looking in – but inside the circle, close.

Perfect: Whole, complete.  Not halfway or partial.

Peace: Quiet confidence, calm.

Whose: Me again. But it is my choice.

Mind: That part of me that feels, thinks, wills and reasons.

Is: Present tense. In the now.

Stayed: Focused. Remain.

On: Position

Thee:  God. My redeemer and refuge. My stronghold and defender. My deliverer.

Therefore:

The one who knows and loves me best will hold me securely inside a place of quiet confidence when my emotions, thoughts, choices, reason remains focused and positioned in/on my Redeemer, Refuge, Stronghold, Deliverer, Defender…

Be anxious for nothing. Be still and know that He is God.