Isaiah 26:1-6 – A sure path to peace and security

The strong city in Isaiah 26:1 though refers to the physical Jerusalem is prophetically pointing forward to the Church of Jesus Christ. The One who had set up the wall and rampart for security would undoubtedly be the LORD. He is more specifically mentioned in verse 4.

Addressing the gatekeepers in the song, God commanded the gatekeepers to open the door so that the righteous, those who trust in the Lord, might also enter in. In Psalm 24, the gatekeepers were told to open the gate for the King of glory to come in. Here in Isaiah 26:2, the righteous of the nation was invited into the city. Since it is the church that had been referred here, then the righteous of the nation would be the people whose lives had been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, the sacrificial lamb of God. People of all nationalities, whose faith and trust would rest in God and the finished work of Christ, would be invited into the city.   

 

Here we have the assurance that believers, who steadfastly and unwaveringly trust in the LORD, would be kept in perfect peace by Him. When we have experienced the grace of God, peace is the ensuing result. Isn’t peace what we believers have experienced? Peace is not the absence of trouble but the presence of God in one’s life. It is a life in harmony with God and with self, regardless of whatever is going on around us. This peace will guard our hearts and keep us in the knowledge of God. Verse 4 exhorts all believers to keep on trusting Yahweh, for He is the everlasting Rock. The call of Isaiah here was for his hearers to trust in the Lord and not in earthly powers which would be crushed and left lying low. Verse 6 assertedly said that God would bring low the proud, those high and mighty ones, and powder them into dust.

 

Here we see the contrast between those who trust in the Lord and those who trust in self and worldly powers. The former will experience peace while the latter will experience confusion. Hence. Let us put Proverbs 3:5-6 into practice in life. We trust in the Lord with all our heart and do not lean on our own understanding. In all our ways we will acknowledge and consider Him, and He will guide and direct our footsteps.  Allow God to be our sure guide!