The Lord is Our Rock – Advent Peace

“In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: ‘We have a strong city; he sets up salvation as walls and bulwarks. Open the gates, that the righteous nation that keeps faith may enter in. You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.’” (Isa. 26:1–4)

Isaiah completed this series of prophecies by looking forward to the day when death would be swallowed up in victory and the people of God would live in peace and perfection with Him forever. Isaiah demonstrated immense faith during his prophetic ministry because everything his human eyes saw told him that God’s people were rejecting the message and that sin was too great ever to experience defeat.

However, in our focus passage, Isaiah foresaw a future song of victory being sung in the land of promise. Let’s break down each line of this song.

“We have a strong city; he sets up salvation as walls and bulwarks...”

Isaiah began by contrasting this future Jerusalem with the present cities of sin in the world. In 24:10 he wrote, “The wasted city is broken down; every house is shut up so that none can enter.” What a terrible reality! The earthly cities of sin are wasted, broken, and abandoned. This is not a pretty picture and an even more unpleasant reality. What makes the future city different? It is a strong city. Its walls and ramparts (bulwarks) are protected by the salvation of the Lord. No enemy can invade it, nor can any sin infect it.

“Open the gates, that the righteous nation that keeps faith may enter in.”

This city is impenetrable to all except those to whom the mighty gates have been opened. This invitation is sent, and those who respond will truly be considered “righteous.” In Isaiah’s day, that meant the faithful Jewish people who obediently believed and sacrificed. When Jesus Christ ushered in the new and greater covenant, the door was opened to both Jew and Gentile, united in the death and final sacrifice of Jesus. The citizens of this future city will be characterized by “keeping the faith.” God’s salvation will produce a change in the lives of His people, and they will endure.

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”

God Himself will keep and protect in perfect peace the one whose mind has been enlightened and who therefore loves, grows, and longs for more of the Savior. In a world of danger and evil, why can the righteous remain at peace? Isaiah answered, “Because he trusts in you.”

“Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.”

Isaiah concluded with a call for all people to trust in the Lord forever. This alone is the sign that the righteous are remaining faithful. There is a continual temptation to find security in wealth, relationships, politics, and even religion, but the Lord God alone is an unshakable, everlasting rock. He alone is protection, provision, and peace. Trust Him!

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