You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you. –Is. 26:3
Isaiah had a unified view of the world as evil and of Israel as rebellious. That's why he prophecies, "The earth will be completely laid waste and completely despoiled, for the LORD has spoken this word...The earth is polluted by its inhabitants, for they transgressed laws, violated statutes, broke the everlasting covenant. Therefore, a curse devours the earth, and those who live in it are held guilty..." (24:3-6). Wow, that's quite a disturbing message.
However, Isaiah doesn't leave us there. He also paints a picture of God changing the "city of chaos" (a.k.a. the earth) into a "strong city" (26:1)—one in which death is swallowed up forever (25:8), peace is eternally established (26:12), and everyone will take root and bear fruit (27:6). So, how does Isaiah find peace of mind in the meantime? By keeping his mind on God. By remembering how God is going to take everything that's wrong with this world and make it right "in that day."
We need the perspective of Isaiah to penetrate our minds. We must find peace in these troubled days by remembering God—keeping our minds stayed on Him. God will turn this city of chaos into a strong city, and we will dwell in a land of peace and fruitfulness forever.
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