What does it mean to make something level? This term is commonly associated with those in the construction world. It means balancing out the ground and making it flat, even, or horizontal for one reason or another. You might be doing this because you’re building a house, and the ground’s vertical slant makes you want to level it out. Usually, that means creating a structure to house the material, mostly soil, used to level the ground. There are many more reasons you could want to level the ground. Perhaps you want to create a play area for your kids, an outdoor seating space, or a path for easy walking. The last example resonates mostly with what I seek to bring across.
Our Christian walk is not the easiest. Without God granting us strength, the Christian walk will not even be strenuous. It will be impossible (Matthew 19:26, Philippians 4:13, Hebrews 11:6). Generally, the Christian walk is one filled with hills, valleys, and mountains. It is a walk in which we’ll have to fight the deadliest of adversaries – the world, the flesh, and the devil. These three never let up, so you can never let down your guard. In the Christian walk, you carry your cross on your back, prepared to die (Matthew 10:38). However, God made us a promise that our toil won’t be in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). The amount of toil we put in will be meaningful, for a day is coming when God will level our way. I will expound on this in light of Isaiah 26:1-7.
Whose Way Will Be Leveled?
I have spoken generally about those for whom their way will be leveled. However, what defines those whose way will be leveled? What distinguishes them from the rest? Isaiah 26:1 answers that question for us: it is those contained within the walls of salvation—those for whom God has built a strong city.
Since Isaiah 2, Isaiah has been alluding to a particular day that would come, when God would rain down judgment on all who had not trusted him. This would include Israel and Isaiah’s audience, Judah. In Isaiah 24, it consists of the whole world. However, beginning in Isaiah 24:14-16 and expanded upon in Isaiah 25-27, Isaiah showed how this wouldn’t be the case for all. There would be people for whom this would be different. The wine would mourn for those in judgment (Isaiah 24:7), but for them there would be a feast of well-aged wine (Isaiah 25:6). These are the people whose way will be leveled not just because they are within the walls of salvation, but also because God keeps them in perfect peace.
Who is Kept in Perfect Peace?
Since God is the one who brings us within the walls of salvation, this serves as a reminder about how salvation is a work we can’t conjure without God orchestrating it. He also keeps them in perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3). However, certain conditions must be met for this to be the case.
Those Whose Mind is Stayed on God
The first is that your mind needs to be stayed on God (Isaiah 26:3). This means that your entire life revolves around glorifying God. Everything else becomes insignificant. Dear reader, has your mind stayed on God? Are you renewing your mind daily with God’s Word, prayer, and fellowship so that you can be transformed? Remember, we are called not to conform to the world; instead, our minds are to be renewed (Romans 12:2). Knowing that, are there any ways you are holding on to the world? Are you loving it because it feels convenient? If you are, your path to perfect peace will be more challenging because your mind hasn’t stayed on God. How, then, do you set your mind on God? Discard anything that doesn’t lead you to love, honor, and glorify God with all your heart, soul, and mind.
Those Who Trust God
Secondly, to gain perfect peace, you need to trust God wholeheartedly. You cannot be superficial when it comes to trusting God. We are commanded to trust God with all our hearts (Proverbs 3:5). As Isaiah put it, we are to trust Yahweh, for he isn’t just our rock. He is our everlasting source of strength, for he will never crumble for all eternity. It is why the command to trust him with all our heart ends with God being the one to straighten our paths.
Dear reader, realize that to have perfect peace, it isn’t an either-or but a both-and. Do you want a mind stayed on God? Trust God with all your heart. He will then give you a heart that continually trusts him and a mind that’s stayed on him.
What of Those Who Won’t Have A Level Way?
However, as I said, there are those whose way won’t be leveled. Instead, Isaiah said they will be brought low (Isaiah 26:5). Who are these? These are those who take pride in living their lives without God. They may not outwardly say it, but they have chosen not to rely on God. They are those who openly declare there is no God, either verbally or through their actions. We know from Scripture that such people are called fools (Psalm 14:3). Throughout Isaiah, they are judged for exalting themselves beyond God (Isaiah 14:8, 14-20; 16:6-7). As the Scripture goes, he exalts the humble and humbles those who exalt themselves (Matthew 23:12).
For such, instead of having their ground leveled, they will be removed from their exalted places. They will be brought low and trampled by the poor and needy whom they oppressed (Isaiah 26:5-6). Here is a word of assurance for those suffering at the hands of others because they are God’s own. God will not discard their oppression; they will receive justice in the end. Therefore, Christians shouldn’t envy the wicked, for they know their end (Psalm 73:16-20).
Have you chosen to believe you can do anything by yourself, including salvation? Are you leaning on your own understanding? Boasting in the works you do instead of God knowing you? Do you say or live as though there is no God? If yes, instead of your way being leveled, you will be trampled on. However, there is a way to escape and reverse all that. All you need to do is entrust yourself to Jesus. Forsake your pride and turn to the One who became a curse for you before it’s too late (Galatians 3:10-14).
Sing For Your Way Will Be Leveled
Dear saint, knowing that your way will be leveled, that your toil won’t be in vain, should cause you to sing joyfully. Isaiah 26:1 acknowledges that it is a song that will be sung by the righteous on the day of the Lord. I urge you to strive to make it your song even here and now; sing it and live by it. We strive knowing that our light momentary afflictions are producing an eternal weight of glory (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). The righteous know the urgency of the fast-approaching Day of the Lord. For that, they will sing and live in a manner worthy of the gospel to which they have been called.
Because we know our way will be leveled, we must sing a song of praise to God and make him our trust (Psalm 40:3). I end this with a question: Are you among those toiling and singing, knowing that God will level your way? Are you earnestly seeking God with your spirit as you eagerly await him (Isaiah 26:8-9)?