Trust In God's Protection Series

ISAIAH 26:1-6

TRUST IN GOD’S PROTECTION

Philippians 4: 6-8

Because of God’s victory over the city that ruled the world through oppression the prophet pens a song that will be sung by the redeemed when the Messiah establishes His millennial kingdom. Isaiah pictures himself standing in the redeemed land with the remnant listening to the people express their thanks to and confidence in God. He hears them reflect upon what Christ’s triumphant earthly return means to them. They are determined to keep faith with the Lord God who kept faith with them in their time of great need. It will take steadfast trust to not only appreciate but to participate in the future God has for His people (CIT).

I. OUR STRONGHOLD, 1-2.

II. OUR STEADFAST TRUST, 3-4.

III. OUR SOVEREIGN’S PROTECTION, 5-6.

Let’s start first with OUR STRONGHOLD in verse 1. In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: "We have a strong city; He sets up walls and ramparts for security.

In that day God will demonstrate that He destroys the false but raises up the true. It will be a time marked by praise and thanksgiving by those permitted to reside within the security and peace of Jerusalem. In recognition of the faithfulness of His great salvation this song of praise is lifted up to Him. This song will be sung in the land of Judah. The song’s background is the reversal of fortunes (25:1-5) for God’s humble will be exalted and the aggressive oppressors are laid low.

In contrast with "the city" that ruled the world being destroyed (24:12-13; 25:2), the redeemed will have a strong city. Throughout the world the redeemed will live in cities and towns, but the strong city (Jerusalem) is where the Messiah will reign. The city will be a place of security and blessing for the world’s redeemed inhabitants. Because of the Messiah’s presence there, that city is figuratively said to have salvation for its walls and ramparts (sloping fortification or earth or stone, 2 Sam. 20:15). Its defenses and blessings will be supernatural.

Man made walls and fortresses can not save us from the perils which threaten our life. The only true defense and salvation is that which comes from God. Despite temptations that come to doubt our God we also should make known that He is a tower of strength against the enemy.

Verse 2 tells us the key that opens the gates. "Open the gates, that the righteous nation may enter, The one that remains faithful.

This city, so formidably secure, will open its gates for the righteous, the ones who remain faithful, to enter. The mark of acceptability is relational righteousness with the Lord. None can live in this city unless God and His character is the passion of their lives.

The righteous nation seems to be a reference to the remnant of Israel. Other nations will have places in the kingdom, but believers in Israel will have special positions.

II. OUR STEADFAST TRUST, 3-4.

Verse three begins to set forth the certain ground of hope for God’s people. The steadfast mind Thou will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in Thee. [ Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee. KJV]

The person who finds peace has cast himself upon God with out any reservations. The double-mined man is unstable in all his ways (Jas. 1:6-8; Mt. 6:24). A fixed disposition of trust in God is required to experience the security of God.

The mind that is steadfast has its thoughts, purposes, and intentions focused. Focused on what? On the Lord God. How do we focus our mind on God? We focus our mind on God through meditation on His word. If we daily spend time focusing our life before God by meditating on His Word, God will keep us in His peace. Over the years of fellowship together with our Maker this peace eventually will grow to become perfect peace. (Actually the Hebrew is a double repetition of the word shalom, or shalom, shalom. Peace is therefore emphatic, a peaceful peace, a complete peace.) People who continue to trust in the Lord enjoy perfect (complete, genuine) peace. Wholeness and fullness of well-being, true repose in the sunshine of God’s favor, belongs to those whom God keeps. The result of a mind stayed on God is a disposition of peace.

The person who steadfastly looks to God can know an inner oneness which makes possible a confident out-look even in the darkest hours. In exchange for our mortality, short-sightedness and weakness, faith receives God’s perspective, immortality, strength, and presence. That is security far, far beyond anything this world offers.

The promises God keeps with us are intended to create confidence in His Word and faithfulness to Him. Those who abide in His Word and cultivate faithfulness, find peace, a deep, restful constant assurance that God cannot forsake His Word nor His promises. For those whose mind is fixed upon the promises of God, the outcome of all events is peace. These faithful few will know the peace that God alone is able to give.