Advent of Peace - Peace in Choas | Isaiah 26:1-4

INTRODUCTION: Out of all the themes in advent, the one that fits the least is Peace. Vacation. Do nothing, I’m exhausted.

Story of the craziness of Christmas????? Headlines for the year?????

CONTEXT: Isaiah 24-26 is known as the little apocalypse. Because it covers a cataclysmic event of Israel being destroyed but also foreshadowing the final battle.

Isaiah 24:1 “1 Behold, the Lord will empty the earth and make it desolate, and he will twist its surface and scatter its inhabitants.”

Isaiah 24:19–20 “19 The earth is utterly broken, the earth is split apart, the earth is violently shaken. 20 The earth staggers like a drunken man; it sways like a hut; its transgression lies heavy upon it, and it falls, and will not rise again.”

If all that is going on in the world. What chance of peace do we have?

God steps in and saves. And this is the pattern we see in Scripture, choas comes, God steps in and sets us peace.

When chaos comes run to God’s stronghold

Isaiah 26:1–2 ESV

1 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. 2 Open the gates, that the righteous nation that keeps faith may enter in.

In that day - in the midst of God doing judgement.

This song - This isn’t “Nobody knows” , this is a joyful song.

I HEARD THE BELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY - HENRY LONGFELLOW - WIFE DIED, BOY WAS INJURED IN CIVIL WAR.

Judah - southern kingdom.

We have a strong city - Now in Brooksville we don’t like cities (Joke?). We feel safer in the county. But where did they run to when trouble would come? To the city.

He sets up salvation as walls and bulwarks - Bulwark was a strong tower - JENGA ILLUSTRATION.

Open the gates - That would be the last thing you would want to do. You only do that when there is peace.

Righteous nation that keeps faith may enter in - Those who enter in had faith and we are kept in person peace.

Peace is the outcome of trust.

Isaiah 26:3–4 ESV

3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. 4 Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

You keep him in perfect peace - So we keep faith, God keeps him in peace.

Not just peace, but perfect peace. - NOT sure why it has perfect?

Philippians 4:6–8 ESV

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

So you can’t just stop being anxious and depressed. You instead must fill your mind with good and godly things.

Because he trusts in you - Why? Because he has trust and faith in God.

You can’t control the peace around you, but you can control the peace.

For he had humbled the inhabitants -

Trust in the Lord forever -

everlasting rock - Rock of ages.

CONCLUSION: Child scare at night.

If people give you peace, then people can take it away...