January 11 – Israel’s Song of Praise

January 11 – Israel’s Song of Praise

Isaiah 26:1-21

“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” (Isaiah 26:1).

In that day usually refers to the coming Day of the Lord, when he will pronounce judgment on the earth and bring his children home for eternity.  We see the fulfillment of this day in Revelation when the New Jerusalem will come into being.

“Open the gates that the righteous nation may enter, the nation that keeps faith” (Isaiah 26:2)

We read in Revelation 21:24 that “The nations will walk by its light (the light of God and the Lamb) and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it (the New Jerusalem).”

In Isaiah 26:7-11, a very strong distinction is made between the wicked and the righteous.  The path of the righteous is level.  When the Lord’s judgments come, the people of the world will learn righteousness.  Though grace is shown even to the wicked, they will not learn. They continue to do evil and they don’t see the hand of the Lord working among them.

Recognition of Israel’s sin in serving other gods is found in Isaiah 26:12-15, but even through that, the Lord brings peace to his people. In that day, no other gods will exist; they will be destroyed and forgotten, the Lord will have assumed their territory and established himself as the ruler over all.

“See, the Lord is coming out of his dwelling to punish the people of the earth for their sins. The earth will disclose the blood shed upon her; she will conceal her slain no longer” (Isaiah 26:21).

In that day, the earth will be transformed.  God will lift up the righteous and punish sinners.