Intro: Many in our world know little about peace. In our century we have seen many wars: WWI, WW2, Korean, VietNam, Gulf War, a multitude of revolutions on several continents. Millions have been killed. Just this week another revolution in Congo (read newspaper article). And many individuals know little about peace (read newspaper articles).

I. GOD PROMISES TO GIVE HIS PEOPLE PERFECT PEACE.
A. What IS peace?
1. Webster: tranquility, freedom from disturbance, security and order, freedom
from disquieting thoughts or emotions, harmony in personal relations.
2. Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia: The gift of God, the God of Peace.
3. Thayer's lexicon: "The tranquil state of the soul assured of its salvation
through Christ, as so fearing nothing from God, and content with its
earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is."
B. Read Isaiah 26:3-4 again.

II. HOW CAN WE EXPERIENCE GOD'S PERFECT PEACE?
A. Everyone doesn't want peace. Some people enjoy chaos, confusion and war, both
nationally and in their personal lives. Some people enjoy the rat-race. And some
people don't want to slow down to smell the roses, because their are running
from their guilt, their fears, their past, even from God Himself.
B. But if you are weary of running and fighting, and being anxious, Christ offers
you His peace. "Come unto me all ye who are weary and are heavy laden, and
I will give you rest..." (Let's look up this verse: Matthew 11:28-30)
HOW CAN WE BEGIN TO EXPERIENCE GOD'S PERFECT PEACE:
1. Take on Christ's yoke.
You must be somebody's slave!
Accept Jesus as your Savior, and also as your Lord.
(It can't be Savior alone. A Christian is a disciple, or he's not a Christian.)
2. Trust God to take care of you and your problems.
People are fearful and anxious for either one of two reasons:
a. They are convinced that life is out of control, period.
b. They are relying chiefly on themselves to fix all their problems.
(This is illustrated by Israel in Isaiah 30:15-16)
You may find a fast horse to fell your troubles, but your troubles will pursue
you just as fast as you try to ride away, and more troubles are waiting ahead.
NOTE: YOU WILL HAVE TROUBLES IN THIS LIFE, NO MATTER WHAT!
Job 5:6-7; 14:1-2; Psalm 22:11 and Paul wrote: "All who will live godly lives
in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution."
But in the midst of trouble, God offers peace, when we trust (Philp. 4:6-7).
David knew this peace! (see Psalm 27:1-5).
3. Meditate often on the Word of God (Psalm 119:141-143).
David often thought on God's Word when he couldn't sleep (Ps. 63:6-7).

CONCLUSION: We all have trouble, and we can't escape trouble. But we can experience the perfect peace of God by doing three things:
1. Accept the yoke of Christ. Receive Him as Savior and Lord.
2. Trust in God, not yourself. Don't ever think God isn't watching over you.
3. Meditate on God's Word.

Prayer
*Hymn # 410 "My Faith Looks Up to Thee"