"Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength."
Isaiah 26:4
Today: Our God is Our Rock!
In chapters 24 and 25 of his book Isaiah, Isaiah has described God’s complete and final victory when Messiah is reigning over the nation. In chapter 25, he wrote the song of triumph that Judah will sing on that day. The theme of their song is found in verse 1, “We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks.” In this chapter, “the city,” Jerusalem, is described as “strong” (v. 1). God has destroyed the city of the enemy (Isaiah 25:1-12). He is now speaking of the “City of God.” Its strength comes from God who protects it, not any fortifications that man built. “Salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks,” He will be their protection. When Messiah takes over the city, all will be safe!
“Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise” (Isaiah 60:18).
With Jehovah caring for us, there will be no more worry of fear.
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee (Isaiah 26:3).
Our verse for today contains this truth for Israel and for believers today.
“Trust ye in the LORD forever.”
When we trust in our own abilities to keep us safe and protected, we fail miserably. But when our trust is in the LORD, our confidence is in Him. There is never anything for a believer to worry about!
“O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee: Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry” (Psalm 88:1-2).
“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation” (Isaiah 12:2).
Jehovah is a Rock. He is the “Rock of Ages!” [1]
“For in the LORD JEHOVAH.”
This is the only place in the Old Testament where this name combination for Jehovah is written.[2] It shows us the “unchangeableness of God’s character.” In our world of constant change, it is so comforting to know that our God does not adjust Himself with the endless inconsistencies of man’s opinion.
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).
“Is everlasting strength.”
“Everlasting strength” equals “Rock of Ages.”[3] Jesus Christ never has a power shortage, for His strength is eternal!
“There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God” (1 Samuel 2:2).
Rock of Ages,[4] cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee;
let the water and the blood,
from thy wounded side which flowed,
be of sin the double cure;
save from wrath and make me pure.
While I draw this fleeting breath,
when mine eyes shall close in death,
when I soar to worlds unknown,
see thee on thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee.
Quote: “Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth, will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy” (Psalm 61:1-3).
[1] “For JAH (the eternal, unchangeable One, Exodus 3:14) is Jehovah, the rock of ages” (compare Isaiah 45:17; Deuteronomy 32:15; 1 Samuel 2:2).” Jamison, Fausset, and Brown. Jamison-Fausset-Brown’s Commentary, the electronic version in eSword. Isaiah 26:4.
[2] “Yah Yahveh.” See the Cambridge Bible, Isaiah 26:4.
[3] See Deuteronomy 32:4, 18, 30. E.W. Bullinger, The Companion Bible, the electronic version in eSword. Isaiah 26:4.
[4] “Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me,” the first and fourth verses. Author, Augustus M. Toplady (1776); Music, Thomas Hastings (1830). Copyright status, Public Domain.