Isaiah 26:1-8, 12 (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. 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. 5 For he has humbled the inhabitants of the height, the lofty city. He lays it low, lays it low to the ground, casts it to the dust. 6 The foot tramples it, the feet of the poor, the steps of the needy.” 7 The path of the righteous is level; you make level the way of the righteous. 8 In the path of your judgments, O LORD, we wait for you; your name and remembrance are the desire of our soul. … 12 O LORD, you will ordain peace for us, for you have indeed done for us all our works.

Intro: What is a psalm of confidence?

WHAT IS WRONG HERE?
What fuels the world? And what does it represent?

WHO BRINGS US HOPE HERE?
Why does it matter that the LORD promises protection?

WHOSE WORK DEFINES YOU?
Once you survey your options, what makes sense?

YOU CAN PRAY WITH US …
1 - Worship the LORD for His goodness and faithfulness. Praise Him, Father, Son and Holy Spirit for all that He has done so far (recorded in His Word) and all that He promises yet ahead of us (prophesied).

2 - How have you lived more influenced by the voices of this world rather than the Lord? Confess your pride and unbelief to Jesus, asking Him to forgive you and to stabilize you in His work (vs. your own efforts to secure your life).

3 - Give thanks to Jesus for the wonder of His saving work and victory over all that threatens us. Thank Him for His redeeming work, to cleanse us by His death, and to enliven us by His resurrection power.

4 - Who do you know that is double-minded, living in the competing currents of this world vs. what God says? Pray for them, asking the Lord to make His saving power known to them.

5 - Ask the Holy Spirit to bear in you His fruit of peace, especially as you see God’s work and trustworthiness vs. the pride or self-interest of the world. Pray that He would grow you in your confidence in the LORD.