Isaiah Teaches Trust in God

ISAIAH 12:2—One of the secrets of a victorious Christian life is trust in the Lord. Trust is very much akin to faith, and the Apostle John says, “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” (I John 5:4) We are dependent upon the Lord for everything, and it is important always to remember this, for it is when we lean on our own understanding or depend upon our own strength that we fail.

Speaking for those who do put their trust fully in the Lord, Isaiah wrote, “I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song.” Fear is a deadly enemy to the Christian. It weakens our determination to press on and win the good fight of faith, and destroys the joy and peace which should be ours in the Lord. Love casts out fear, the apostle tells us. (I John 4:18) If our love for God and for his plan of salvation is supreme, our trust in him will also be strong. And so, instead of fearing our enemies, we will confront them in the strength of the Lord, and he will “become our strength” and also our song. Yes, we will delight to sing the praises of the God of our salvation.

ISAIAH 26:1-7—The expression, “In that day,” is one frequently used in the prophecies to denote the time of Christ’s kingdom, and here we are told of a song pertaining to a “strong city” which then will be sung “in the land of Judah.” It is quite possible, therefore, that the primary application of the prophecy is to the restoration of God’s favor to the natural descendants of Abraham.

Isaiah says that then God will appoint salvation as walls and bulwarks for that “strong city.” The reference here seems to be to spiritual Zion, and Paul informs us concerning “that day” that a “Deliverer shall come out of Sion, and turn away ungodliness from Jacob.” He further declares, “All Israel shall be saved.”—Rom. 11:26

“Open ye the gates”: This evidently has reference to the gates of the “strong city,” that is, the kingdom of Christ through which Israel is to be blessed. The gates are opened in order that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in. Israel as a nation did not keep the truth, hence did not qualify to enter into the spiritual phase of Christ’s kingdom. Jesus told the Israelites in his day that the kingdom would be taken from them and “given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” (Matt. 21:43) The Apostle Peter identifies this “nation” to which the kingdom would be given as the church, the faithful followers of Jesus, who are promised that if they suffer with him they shall also reign with him.—I Peter 2:9; II Timothy 2:12

This, then, is evidently the righteous nation that is invited to enter through the gates into the “strong city,” for these are the ones who are given an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (II Pet. 1:11) For any of us as individuals to qualify for such a high honor it is essential that we meet the standards of righteousness, and bring forth the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Just as the nation which enters into that city must be righteous, so each individual comprising the nation must also be righteous.

The Apostle Peter, in outlining the various elements of a righteous character, begins with faith—“Add to your faith.” Faith, then, is seen to be one of the basic elements of true righteousness, that is, the righteousness of God. It is faith in God, absolute confidence in him, and the assurance that he is not only able to accomplish all of his good purposes, but also that he is able to care for us, and will not permit any experience to come into our lives that will not be for our highest spiritual welfare.

Thus it is that upon the basis of this trust, having our minds fixed on the Lord, and in our hearts being determined to know and do only his will, we can have “perfect peace,” or as the margin states, “peace, peace.” Isaiah reminds us, furthermore, that we can trust in the Lord “for ever,” that in him is “everlasting strength.” This means that we can continue to trust him all the days of our lives here in the flesh, and that beyond the veil we will “dwell In the house of the Lord for ever.”—Psa. 23:6

Looking around us in the world today it might seem that sin is triumphant. That unholy city, Babylon, is reigning with a high hand, while the Lord’s own people are ignored and oppressed. But even this situation will change, for the promise is that the “lofty city”—that “great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth” (Rev. 17:18)—will be brought low, “even to the dust.” Knowing this, we can continue to enjoy perfect peace, being fully aware that his purposes will triumph.

ISAIAH 30:1, 2, 15-17—In this passage, we have a warning to those who fail to put their trust fully in the Lord. These are referred to as “rebellious children” who take counsel which is not of the Lord. They are described as going down to Egypt for help. Here we may properly think of Egypt as being symbolic of the world, and Jesus said to his followers, “I have chosen you out of the world.”—John 15:19

Complete faith and trust in the Lord involves confidence in all of his arrangements for us as new creatures in Christ Jesus. In our service to God there may be a temptation to feel that his methods and his Spirit are not as effective as they should be, that if we could use worldly methods much more would be accomplished. Nominal churchianity has fallen victim to this temptation, with the result that today it is difficult to distinguish between the great church systems and the world. By worldly methods they have built imposing systems of religion, and they boast that they “are rich, and increased in goods, and have need of nothing.” But they have lost the favor of the Lord.—Rev. 3:17

As systems they cannot get back into harmony with God, but individuals who discover that they have lost their peace and rest in him by looking to “Egypt” for help, may find peace again by returning to him. May it be true of all of us, when we find ourselves worried and distraught, fearful of what the outcome of our efforts to serve the Lord will be, that we will return to the Lord and put our trust in him. Thus we will find rest, and in this quiet confidence in him shall be our strength.

QUESTIONS

In what sense is Jehovah our strength and song?

What is the significance of the expression, “In that day”?

What is the “strong city”?

Who comprise the righteous nation to whom the gates of the “strong city” are opened?

Why do those whose minds are fixed on the Lord enjoy perfect peace?

What is the “lofty city” that is to be brought down to the dust?

Of what is “Egypt” a symbol?

What causes some of the Lord’s people to go down to Egypt for help?

What should be done if we find that we have made this mistake?

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