Song of Praise to The Lord

Isaiah 26:1–21
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In this chapter the Lord tells how He will restore the nation. The emphasis is on righteousness and peace. Peace may be outward and inward. Isaiah pictured the day when Christ will return to establish physical peace in the world. The picture is one of the redeemed entering the millennial kingdom. There will be complete peace with no wars, no crime, no violence of any kind. Salvation is God’s total provision for His people’s needs (v. 1). The prophet encourages God’s suffering people by describing blessings that await them in the future:

1. The strong city (v. 1-6) - The new Jerusalem will no longer be a sinful city but it will be a righteous city for a holy nation whose sins have been washed away (Zech 13:1). Only those who have trusted Jesus Christ will enter this city.
2. The level path (vv 7-11) - During much of their history the Jews have traveled a rough road but when the kingdom is established, God will give them a smooth way.
3. The woman in travail (vv 12-18) - Israel was in pain like a woman giving birth, except her travail produced nothing. However, during the Kingdom Age, Israel will be the source of blessing for the whole world.
4. The life-giving dew (vv 19-21) - Some people say that there is no life after death. Others believe that there is, but it is not physical life. Isaiah tells us that just as dew brings new life to the soil and vegetation, so God will raise the dead out of the earth. This verse is certainly one of the strongest indications of physical resurrection found in the Bible (v. 19).

Application

Jesus says that the hidden things will be made known and the guilty will find no place to hide.  Instead of trying to hide shameful thoughts and actions from God I need to confess them to Him and ask for His forgiveness (I John 1:9).