Isaiah 26
by Pastor David Groendyk

Right at the outset, we have that familiar phrase, “In that day”, which signals for us, as Pastor Lawrence mentioned a couple days ago, that Isaiah has in mind the end times as he makes this prophecy. This is a day that all of God’s people have been waiting for, a great day of salvation, when death itself is swallowed up forever (Isa. 25:8–9). Today’s chapter highlights an important aspect of salvation: peace.

Who is the source of peace for the believer? God (vv. 3, 12). What does it mean that we have peace? Read and study what this chapter says about God. He is compared to a strong city with walls and bulwarks all around (v. 1). He is the everlasting rock (‘rock’ meaning ‘mountain’ rather than ‘pebble’) (v. 4). He is zealous to preserve, defend, and uphold his people and their honor (v. 11). He accomplishes every single part of our deliverance, while we can and do do absolutely nothing (vv. 12, 18). He is a shield and a refuge who keeps us safe when his fury and wrath go forth over the earth (vv. 20–21). What “peace” looks like in this chapter is different than what we often think “peace” should look like. Peace doesn’t mean a total freedom from all conflict and trouble. Peace is a person to whom we run who keeps us eternally safe and secure even though we experience conflict and trouble. So, in order to have true peace, we must have a right relationship with God. Think of all the ways worldly people try to find peace in this life: if we just find the right cure or treatment, if we just get our guy in office, if we just strike this international deal, if we just get x-y-z, then life will be good and safe. Rather, peace can only be found in the form of putting your trust in God for eternal security. Then the ultimate peace will come at the New Creation when all the dead will be raised to life again and sing for joy that they are with the God of their salvation (v. 19), knowing that all their troubles finally are forever wiped away.

What does this mean for us? Read and study the characteristics of those who have God as their peace in this chapter. They enter into and hide inside of God (vv. 2, 20). They flee into God as you or I would flee into our houses when we hear the tornado siren going off. They keep their minds stayed on God (v. 3). Their thoughts are continually going back to God (vv. 8–9, 13, 16). They seek out the Lord and keep their thoughts fixed on him. Do you want peace in this life? Then remember the God of your salvation. Remember your God who has already accomplished victory for you and defeated the enemies of sin, Satan, and hell. Come and find all the grace that you need for a new day and a new challenge from the God who gives life. How often do your thoughts go back to God and who he is throughout a normal day?

One of the most important doctrines taught in the New Testament is that believers are inseparably and mysterious united with Christ. Only when we are united with Christ through his death and resurrection on our behalf do we get this peace in Isaiah 26. Union with Christ is how we come into a right relationship with God. Union with Christ is union with the One who is our peace. As Ephesians 2 says, “Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ…strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace.” Flee to the refuge of Christ for your peace! Find forgiveness of sins and eternal security in him! Fix your thoughts on him today!