“In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: “We have a strong city; he sets up salvation as walls and bulwarks. Open the gates, that the righteous nation that keeps faith may enter in.” Isaiah 26:1-2 ESV
Reflection: who can enter the city of the Lord?
If you pay attention to American politics, you probably noticed that the term RINO became popular during the past couple of election cycles. RINO is short for Republican In Name Only, meaning the candidate gives an impression of being a conservative, but it is only a facade in order to get elected. Their hearts and true identities are somewhere else; possibly very liberal. Of course, if they get elected into office, everyone will then see what they truly stand for through their voting records. It is a deceptive move, saying one thing but doing something else. Unfortunately, this phenomenon of deception is not limited to politicians. It is all over society. And sadly, there are many religious people, even those who call themselves Christians, who are such in name only. Now, they might fool their family and friends, but not God who sees their hearts. So who are they really fooling in the end?
Only fooling themselves.
And if you think about it, there really is no better deception the devil can offer, than a person thinking they can “get away with” having a name and an image as a Christian, thinking they have an insurance policy for heaven, while actually living completely for the world. No surrender to God, but instead spending all their time, talents and energy building up “riches” of the world, whatever form that takes. It is a perfect game plan for the devil.
In our focus verses today, Isaiah writes of a city, a “strong” city with protective walls and bulwarks all around. A city of refuge, of safety and salvation. Clearly, he is writing about the city of the Lord; even the Lord Himself. And, notice who can enter this city – only the “righteous nation; which really means righteous people (keep in mind here there is no righteous “nation”, as we think of a nation). And how is this people determined to be “righteous”? It says that the gates are opened for
the people who keeps faith.
And then we read “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3 ESV. Even back then, when the people of Israel had been given the law, and animal sacrifices for sin. They knew that they fell short of the law, and that animal sacrifices could not save them. It was only through faith and trust in God. But thanks be to God, who sent the perfect sacrifice, the only sacrifice who could atone for sin. And, through Jesus Christ, the sin offering has been made. So Jesus did away with all sin sacrifices, once and for all. But, let me ask you, did he also cancel, or do away with the law? Meaning, are we “free” from the law?
Jesus made this very clear. ““Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” Matthew 5:17 ESV. Meaning, he followed the law perfectly. Paul also writes “Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.” Romans 3:31 ESV. The idea here is that we can never become righteous by following the law, but only through faith in Jesus Christ and his works. But, the law is still in effect, because it is God’s law. It never changes as He never changes. God’s law, starting with the Ten Commandments, is still our law, our direction, given to us by our loving Father.
You want to enter the city of the Lord?
We must all check our hearts to make sure we are not “Christians in name only”. Isaiah summarized the following for God’s people “Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” Isaiah 26:4 ESV
