READING FOR FEBRUARY 9, 2026: ISAIAH 26, MATTHEW 6, PSALM 5:1-6 ISAIAH 26 This chapter reads like an expanded version of Psalm 1, which presents six verses comparing the way of the righteous with the way of the wicked. The comparison in this chapter is between the “strong city” of God (vs. 1) and the “lofty city” of man (vs. 5). The use of cities as a metaphor emphasizes that we all belong to communities of belief and practice. Despite what we often think, we are inevitably influenced and defined by these communities.
| Topic/Verses | Strong City of God | Lofty City of Man |
| Salvation: 1-6 | Salvation comes only by God, not our efforts. We can only enter this city by salvation through faith in Him. We continue in this city by trusting Him. This brings the city eternal peace and security | Man has attempted to save himself since the Garden of Eden. Man points to his own lofty accomplishments refusing to humble himself before God. This brings destruction to this city and victory to those it oppressed. |
| Way of life: 7-11 | God directs the ways of the righteous. They follow the Bible and yearn for deep fellowship with God. They continually learn from God’s judgments. | The wicked ignore the grace offered to them by God. Despite contact with God’s people, they keep doing evil. They ignore the obvi- ous signs of God and will be consumed. |
| Leadership: 12-18 | God ‘s rule brings peace, and His people will celebrate accomplishments that are really God’s doing. They have previously been ruled by non-gods but now honor God alone. His city keeps expanding | The rulers of this city will experience physical death but no eternal life. They will be punished by God and all memory of them will cease. |
Verses 19-22 might be eschatological (pertaining to the end times) in nature. Here we learn that the dead who belong to God will rise again bodily (vs. 19). Here is a further statement about this risen body from Paul: “So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body” (1 Cor. 15: 42-44).
Verses 20-21 suggest that believers might want to lie low temporarily to avoid the effects of God’s wrath during this period of extreme troubles. This might be what Jesus referenced: “For then there will be great distress (tribulation), unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened” (Matt. 24:21-22).
God gives us the choice of the city in which we reside. When deciding, consider carefully the features of each location. No realtor gives us more vital information than this chapter.
MATTHEW 6 Jesus wants us to practice righteousness but to beware that we don’t do so to be noticed by others. In fact, He wants us to go to great lengths to keep our good works as secret as possible. What? If you google “getting the boss’s attention,” lots of articles pop up,
READINGS FOR FEBRUARY 9, 2026 CONTINUED: MATTHEW 6, PSALM 5:1-6 including from The Harvard Business Review, The New Times and Forbes Magazine. None mention making sure your good works are invisible. This is hard for us because we don’t really think God notices, so at least we want credit from others. But God does notice and wants us to stay under the radar about them for our own good. Works of righteousness He specifically mentions are giving, praying, and fasting. Surely, however, this applies to all good works.
The Lord’s Prayer: We say it at least once a week. We have memorized it. We have studied it. Just a few brief thoughts:
- If we are believers, the one in heaven, in total command of the universe, is as close to us and cares for us as the most loving father.
- Although He is a 100% loving father, He is also 100% holy and cannot coexist with sin. That’s why He sent Jesus to pay for our sins with His blood and calls us to be holy.
- We should long for His Kingdom, both in terms of Kingdom principles to be practiced now on earth and for the day when His Kingdom is fully in place at the end of this age.
- We should come to the Father each day for our needs. He wants us to be continually dependent on Him, but not so worried about the long-term future. That’s true, of course, only if we have received Jesus and possess eternal life.
- We should pray and expect to be forgiven in the same measure as we forgive others. That should motivate us to be more forgiving if nothing else will.
- We need to understand that we are in a battle against evil. He alone can deliver us.
- Note that the statement about the kingdom, power, and glory was added about 1,000 years after Matthew was written. Nothing wrong with it, but it is not really in the Bible.
Most of the last 15 verses of this chapter address the intersection between money and anxiety. Jesus restates the same principle in various colorful and beautiful ways. For example, He suggests contemplating lilies. Since they are out of season, go out to the web and look at one. As He says, they don’t last long, but He gives them exquisite attention. As His children (through faith), we will live forever. He gives us so much more attention. “Seek first the His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you.”
PSALM 5:1-6 Groaning? Crying? Pray to God and expect His answer. If threatened by wickedness, falsehood, deceit, and even danger, know that almighty God stands against those forces with us. Let’s express our honest feelings to God believing that He will deliver us in His way and time.
