Their own feelings they are here represented as uttering in the form of general truths to be sources of consolation to others. Thou wilt keep him - The following verses to Isaiah 26:11, contain moral and religious reflections, and seem designed to indicate the resignation evinced by the ‘righteous nation’ during their long afflictions. By contrast his enemies, symbolized here by fierce monsters, will suffer his deadly punishment (27:1). God’s people need not fear his wrath, for he will protect them when he carries out his work of judgment on a sinful world (20-21). Their victory must therefore lie in the future, when their bodies will be triumphantly raised from death (19). Many of the godly have died without seeing any victory (16-18). They feel the disappointment and frustration of a woman who suffers birth pains but produces no child. All their efforts and all their expectations have come to nothing. The righteous then recall how they have cried to God in their distress, but have received no apparent answer. Their numbers increase, and God’s blessing spreads throughout the land (14-15). In due course, however, the enemies are destroyed, but the righteous have peace. ![]() The righteous know that God cares for them, and they respond with loyalty to him, even when they are oppressed by their enemies (12-13). The ungodly do not know God and so cannot live uprightly (10-11). They desire this knowledge for others also, because only when people know God can they truly know what righteousness is (7-9). Godly people long to know God and his ways better, so that they can live righteously according to his directions. God’s city stands for ever the world’s city is smashed to the ground and trampled in the dust (4-6). Those who trust in him have stability and security, but those who trust in themselves are overthrown. It is a city for the righteous, an eternal dwelling place for those who have experienced the perfect peace that comes through complete trust in God (26:1-3). The same God who was with the faithful of old will be with us too.Having destroyed the city built by human hands (that is, humankind’s whole ungodly way of life 25:2), God now builds his city. He is “an everlasting rock” or as is more accurately translated- “the Rock of Ages.” That’s a beautiful phrase that reminds us that God is unmovable-unmovable, for example, in the promises He has made. Why should we trust in the LORD? One reason is given in the next phrase. That is why the passage continues in the next verse with an encouragement for us to “trust in the LORD forever.” God supports our minds when we trust Him. Peace comes from a mind supported by God. That is why it is encouraging that many commentators believe the passage is more accurately rendered “whose mind is supported by you.” That makes it clear that peace from God does not depend so much on our frail minds. But it can be hard to keep our minds stayed on God. Some translations say the offer is for those “whose mind is stayed” on God. “Peace, peace” implies certainty, as well as help and comfort in all times and circumstances. That is what God can give us-“peace, peace.” Why the repetition? Because the peace God offers us is more than what is available anywhere else. ![]() Some translations render God’s offer as “perfect peace.” But “peace, peace” is a more accurate rendering. ![]() We are often in search of escapes from it. We live in a world with many sources of turmoil. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4 “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
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