Isaiah 26 - God's People Sing His Praise!

Chapter 25 of Isaiah revealed the salvation of the remnant, with the redeemed unable to keep quiet as they boasted in the salvation of YHWH. Chapter 26 continues with that theme, as Judah is lifted in rejoicing.

Isaiah 26:1-4 (HCSB) On that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: We have a strong city. Salvation is established as walls and ramparts. Open the gates so a righteous nation can come in— one that remains faithful. You will keep the mind ⌊that is⌋ dependent ⌊on You⌋ in perfect peace, for it is trusting in You. Trust in the LORD forever, because in Yah, the LORD, is an everlasting rock!

On THAT day, when Christ returns to judge the nations, He also gathers His people. And on THAT day, the saints will sing and boast about the salvation and security they have in Christ; they will rejoice with all His people who are gathered in. YHWH will keep in perfect peace the soul that trusts in Him; He is trustworthy because Jesus is the everlasting Rock which gushes out refreshing water, provides a sure foundation in any storm, and will not be moved when all hell breaks loose.

Isaiah 26:5-6 (HCSB) For He has humbled those who live in lofty places— an inaccessible city. He brings it down; He brings it down to the ground; He throws it to the dust. Feet trample it, the feet of the humble, the steps of the poor.

We see, again, what happens to those filled with the pride of life - God humbles them, no matter how secure they think themselves. He knocks down all the idols of man and leaves the debris to be trampled on by the very people that were despised and mistreated by the proud, boastful men of the world. The meek SHALL inherit the earth - the new earth!

Isaiah 26:7 (HCSB) The path of the righteous is level; You clear a straight path for the righteous.

The praise of His people continues, as they declare He makes a straight, level path for His people. A sermon I heard many years contained this pearl, which stuck with me: "The path of least resistance makes both MEN and rivers crooked. The Lord God makes man's path straight." People who "let go and let God" are drifting in the sea of humanity. Once raised we must be deliberate and determined, by the grace of God, to walk as children of the light.

Verses 8 - 10 continue with the praise of God and the vindication of His judgment, as some people learn righteousness while the wicked do not - they do not see the majesty of the Lord.

Isaiah 26:11 (HCSB) LORD, Your hand is lifted up ⌊to take action⌋, but they do not see it. They will see ⌊Your⌋ zeal for ⌊Your⌋ people, and they will be put to shame. The fire for Your adversaries will consume them!

If you recall from the early chapters, YHWH's hand being raised is a symbol of impending judgment. Wicked people will not see His zeal to defend His name and His people until it is too late and His fire consumes them.

Isaiah 26:12-13 (HCSB) LORD, You will establish peace for us, for You have also done all our work for us. Yahweh our God, lords other than You have ruled over us, but we remember Your name alone.

Read that again, slowly. YHWH establishes peace for His people, He has done ALL the work. They were ruled by lesser gods that were not gods and He put His name in their minds. Where, oh man, have ye room to boats of ANYTHING other the grace of God? If you have been feeling satisfied in anything you've done, repent.

Verse 14 reveals the doom of the wicked - they die and have no peace nor place with God. But -

Isaiah 26:15-16 (HCSB) You have added to the nation, LORD. You have added to the nation; You are honored. You have expanded all the borders of the land. LORD, they went to You in their distress; they poured out whispered ⌊prayers because⌋ Your discipline ⌊fell⌋ on them.

YHWH has added to the nation - bringing Gentiles to Mt. Zion where His righteousness reigns. The poor in spirit, people in distress, cried out to God in prayer and His chastisement fell on them, the chastisement that brings peace - Isaiah 53:5 (KJV) "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." If His chastisement does not bring you peace, you will never have peace with God.

The next two verse describe how the chastisement of peace is akin to the travails of a pregnant woman giving birth. And the birth was without life, but a breeze - as someone passing gas (as one commentary put it); no victory or lineage in which to boast. But there is cause for boasting -

Isaiah 26:19 (HCSB) Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust! For you will be covered with the morning dew, and the earth will bring out the departed spirits.

Contrary to the death of the wicked, those who die in Christ will live - their bodies will be raised on the last day! Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust - if Christ be your king, for on THAT day all who have died in YHWH will come up out of the earth to meet Him!

Isaiah 26:20-21 (HCSB) Go, my people, enter your rooms and close your doors behind you. Hide for a little while until the wrath has passed. For look, the LORD is coming from His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. The earth will reveal the blood shed on it and will no longer conceal her slain.

While judgment is meted out on the nations in Israel's day, she was told to hide - the battle belongs to the Lord. As in the day of the angel of death, when the children of Moses hid in their homes with the blood of the lamb on their doorframe, so all His redeemed will hide in Him, covered by the blood of the victorious Lamb Who exposes the sin of the world and renders eternal judgment. As the nations are judged, we have refuge in Christ, who will then gather us to Himself as He makes a new heaven (the universe) and new earth.

Is Christ your peace? The chastisement, the punishment, laid upon Him - did He bring you peace? Trust not a man who says, "Peace, peace!" where there is no peace. Trust in the Man who brings peace and gives is to His people.