Isaiah 26 - Glory to God for His righteous deeds

I. Praise for the strong city (v1-6)

"In that day" refers to the last days, where there will be a song sung in Judah. The song praises God for making the city strong. The city will be opened up for the righteous to come in - this city is the kingdom of God, opened to those who trust in Christ.

Isaiah calls out for people to trust God, for they have nothing to worry about: "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." (v3-4)  "Perfect Peace" in Hebrew is "shalom shalom." To gain such peace, we must "stay" on God, as an anchor for our minds.

Paul said the same: "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil 4:6-7)

God will humble the inhabitants of all lofty cities and the poor and needy (those unjustly oppressed) will trample them.

b) The effects of Jehovah’s judgments (v7-10)

The path of the righteous is level, and God will make the way level. (v7) This is a paradoxical statement - I believe the righteous's character looks to walk uprightly and avoid temptations. At the same time, God will bless them and always make a way for them to walk the right path. 

The righteous waits for His judgment and do not avenge the evil doers. The righteous only desire that God's name and remembrance be honored. The righteous earnestly seek after the Lord at night. (v8-9)

The wicked, even if shown favor, will not learn righteousness - they continue to deal corruptly and is not aware of God's majesty.  (v10)

c) Isaiah's Prayer (v11-19)

Isaiah prayed the the LORD will lift up His hands so that the people will see His zeal against their adversaries, so that his people will be ashamed for not trusting Him.  God had in fact done all the work and will bring peace to them. (v11-12)

Judah had worship many "gods" and idols, but Isaiah wants to remember the name of God alone. The other gods are dead and will not raise to life (v13-14).  God had used Hezekiah to destroy them.

Isaiah prophesied that God will enlarge the borders of the land, and that was what God had been doing since the independence of Israel in 1948.  (v15)

The people sought after God when His discipline was upon them. They cried out to God like a pregnant woman cries out in her pangs. But they have given birth to wind; their own efforts have brought no accomplishments. (v18)

But God can raise even the dead. (v19).  Isaiah was more accurate than he imagined. Paul said: "the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel" (2 Tim 1:10)

d) Isaiah's Encouragement to the people (v20-21)

Isaiah encouraged those "in the dust", those mourning, to awake and sing for joy. They should just stay indoors and wait until the fury has passed by, for God is coming out to punish the those who commit iniquity. (v21)