Isaiah 26:1-21: “In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: We have a strong city; God makes salvation its walls and ramparts. Open the gates that the righteous nation may enter, the nation that keeps faith. You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.”
In this election season we once again sense the fear, strife, accusation, and contention that exists. In addition to the political and social battles in our nation, the world is at war in many places. Our hearts grieve the mass suffering caused by warfare in and around Israel. Once again the significance of that historic region and the battle for that land is in the world’s headlines.
War in Ukraine continues, though media attention has waned. War is in Africa. Heidi Baker of IRIS Ministries, who lives in Mozambique, was the keynote speaker at our Harvest Alliance UK Gathering. Due to war, IRIS had to move all their schools elsewhere. Yet Rolland and Heidi continue to live in that war-torn, poverty-stricken place.
In Isaiah 26, the prophet is confronting God’s people for lack of faithfulness and the resulting consequences, and comforting them with the promise of God’s deliverance. The promise of “perfect peace” is spoken to a people who are facing punishment and political upheaval. Yet those who “trust in the Lord” are steadfast in mind. Their thoughts are not consumed with anxiety and dread, but rather the strength and promises of their mighty God.
This is the state where all Christ-followers should remain. “The Lord, the Lord Himself, is the Rock eternal.” The Lord alone is the Rock on which we must place our trust. None other can take His place. We are not to look to anything or anyone else to provide the solid ground upon which we must stand.
This is true for our thoughts, emotions, aspirations, political convictions, financial hopes, and relationships with others. In all these areas we should declare our trust in the Lord. This doesn’t mean that we disengage from the political and social issues of our day. We absolutely should lead in those arenas. But we must do it from the steadfast footing of standing upon the eternal Rock — Jesus Christ the Lord of all.