STEADFAST

 

Isaiah 26 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.

 

1.      This is a song that is going to be sung in that day.  Isaiah is looking prophetically in the future and sees a song that is going to be sung.  It will be part of the Hymn book of that day. 

 

2.      Let’s examine the word and glean some truth.  How does a city become strong.  The Lord is the foundation.  It is the walls and ramparts.  Simple when you base your community in and on the Lord it will be strong.  You don’t it becomes or is weak.  If the Lord does not build the house the Labor is in vain.  Righteousness exalts a nation; sin is a reproach to any people. 

3.      Salvation is key.  The results are a new heart, eternal view, moral and ethical lifestyle, proper view of people, new mindset, and proper view of love.  You are walking in the gifts and fruit of the Spirit.  Salvation means preservation or deliverance from harm, ruin, or loss.  That is what the Lord has done and is doing.

 

2 Open the gates that the righteous nation may enter, the nation that keeps faith.

 

1.      The opening to healing, renewal, revival and transformation is your heart or the gate of your heart.  Jesus said, “Behold I stand at the door of your heart.”  It opens righteousness, peace, and joy.” 

2.      It also opens the possibility of a righteous nation.  Righteousness begins in the heart spread to relationships, families, churches, communities and eventually nations. 

3.      This leads to a nation that keeps faith.  We started off well and now the tension are to keep faith.  That is why we must work hard while there is still day and time which is running out.

 

You will keep in perfect peace, him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.

 

1.      The Lord will keep us in perfect peace.  In the Bible Shalom or peace has these applications. (1) peace as the absence of war or chaos internally. (2) peace as a right relationship with God or with Christ; (3) peace as a good relationship among people; (4) peace as an individual virtue or state, that is, tranquillity or serenity; and (5) peace that is to be given to others. 

 

a.      When the Bible talks about perfect peace it means to be whole or complete. Perfect peace is complete peace and is guaranteed when we focus on Jesus. “Since we are surrounded by so many examples of faith, we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially sin that distracts us.”

b.      Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the Son of God. 

 

2.      This means our minds is steadfast and stable because we have connected, interfaced, commune with the one who helps us be stable.  That is why we must submit our thought life to God.  Paul writes in Phil 4:8-9, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me—put it into practice.  Paul says put this into practice.  This is called putting on the helmet of salvation.  It is called walking in the Spirit.  This makes you stable.  Steadfast, immovable, and abounding in love.

 

A.     To be steadfast of mind means our mind is fixed on something. Isaiah suggests that our mind is steadfast in trusting God. God isn't subject to our definition of him or our idea of him. When we trust in God, we learn about him and grow in our knowledge of him.

B.     It means regardless of what comes your way, you're cool - even-tempered. Nothing can upset, bother, or destroy you; you're at rest with things.

C.      It means the motives, inclinations, and desires of our hearts shaped and formed by God Himself. And how one is shaped by God.

 

3.      It is because you trust in God.  The word “trust” here implies confidence or security. It is a concept that is associated with firmness or something that is solid or secure.  Simply stated, we can put our confidence or security in the Lord because we know that He can be trusted.  Trust leads to peace and vice versa.

 

Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.

 

1.      Isaiah then states again to trust, put your confidence, security, self esteem, and significance in the Lord.  In the Lord means intimate union and fellowship with the Lord.  This is maintained by the way through three things, the Bible, prayer and going to church.  This is also the basis of all relationships and conducts.  You are letting the Lord be the guide you in all aspects of your life, conduct and character.  Character is who and what you do in private. 

2.      Isaiah says trust the Lord forever.  Never stop.  Now notice He says the Lord three times.  This is a reference to the trinity or three persons of the Godhead.  It is also for emphasis.  For the Lord, the Lord, he is the almighty, all powerful, all knowing, all loving, creator, and sustainer of all things. 

3.      The rock eternal.  He is unchanging, immovable, He is our shoulder whenever we need it or even if we don't.  He will never leave or forsake us.   He is solid and secure.  He is the one constant in this world of change.  Stability, security, consistency, and constancy.