Just a bit of a different take on a verse this morning. I don’t think I’ve ever used a clothing accessory in a teaching before but as they say there’s a first time for everything.
Are you familiar with collar stays?
When I was in high school and would iron my dad’s dress shirts it was important to remember to put the collar stays in place when I was finished. I did the same thing for Dave when we were first married. All the nicer dress shirts came with collar stays. They kept a man’s collar for rolling down; they were stiff, rigid and kept the collar looking freshly pressed. It presented a professional image.
Why am I talking about collar stays and how do they apply to today’s teaching?
“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. 4 Trust in the Lord forever, For in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength.” Isaiah 26:3-4 NKJV
“The Lord gives perfect peace to those whose faith is firm. 4 So always trust the Lord
because he is forever our mighty rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4 CEV
Stayed – rigid, firm, unbending, like a rock.
Last night I was startled awake at midnight. It was so abrupt that my heart was racing and I was shaken. I laid there for a while trying to calm myself and go back to sleep but I was unsuccessful. I got up and came to the couch and laid down here.
I prayed. Then this verse came to mind, and I could hear the Lord speak into my heart, “Kristi, you need to be stayed”. Along with that admonition came the picture of those silly collar stays.
I needed my mind to be stayed. Focused singularly on the Father and His promise to never leave me or abandon me. He promises to be my rock and my hiding place, my ever present help in time of trouble. I have been told to come boldly into His throne room to find help in time of need.
Yes, stayed on His word.
I wasn’t frightened, I didn’t feel as if I was in danger, but my peace had escaped me. It needed to return.
The Lord and talked for a long time and sleep came.
“3 and you refresh my life. You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths.” Psalm 23:3 CEV
I hope this was helpful to you today, I know it was for me. I plan to stay put, with my mind on my Almighty God and loving Father.