Isaiah 26:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The holy prophets traditionally interceded for Israel, as they were favored by God and adorned with the virtues of piety. Being descendants of Abraham and sharing in the heritage of the holy patriarchs, they were deeply saddened to witness their people suffer due to their transgressions against Christ. Consequently, the blessed prophet Isaiah directs his supplication to God, saying, "O Lord our God, give us peace: for thou hast recompensed us with all things." He expresses that if God were to grant them peace, they would be enriched with every good gift and truly partake in His blessings. It is essential to comprehend the nature of the peace they seek. They seek Christ Himself, for He is our peace according to Scripture, and through Him, we become spiritually united with the Father.

Our external adversary, the devil, will be vanquished when our inner foe, carnal desire, is healed, and we will dwell in tranquility. What type of peace is this? It is one that has not been perceived by the eye or heard by the ear (1 Cor. 2:9). What sort of existence awaits? It is beyond what any heart can envision, devoid of turmoil. What peace are we referring to? It is the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, guarding your hearts (Phil. 4:7). The prophet Isaiah proclaims this very peace: O Lord our God, grant us peace, for You have bestowed upon us all things. You made a promise by sending Christ - and You fulfilled it. You promised the Cross and the spilling of His blood for the forgiveness of sins - and You accomplished it.

Lord, You grant us tranquility, for You have recompensed us for our actions. It is noteworthy that You will bestow peace upon us, having compensated us for our works, and it is also important to consider the grounds on which You seek peace. For they assert that due to their earthly actions, they have endured suffering, and that after experiencing punishment and affliction, they are deserving of forgiveness. Alternatively, since the culmination of times has arrived, and all that You have proclaimed through the prophets has come to fruition, and You have fulfilled every promise made, grant us peace that surpasses all comprehension (Phil. 4:7).

Those who place their trust in God's authority and willingly devote themselves to Him demonstrate true wisdom. They seek Him alone and consequently receive abundant blessings. As the prophet Isaiah proclaims: O Lord our God, grant us peace, for You have bestowed upon us everything. The subsequent words affirm: And He has heard me. This prayer, though brief, is profoundly beautiful in its devotion and received divine acknowledgment. What requests did He not fulfill, showing mercy and grace by responding to such a plea? Undoubtedly, He cares for humanity, rescues them, and provides gifts that even the most avaricious supplicant could scarcely imagine.

Let us express our gratitude to our Creator for the blessings we enjoy, and with a sincere heart, let us echo the words of the prophet Isaiah, "All things have been recompensed to us." Our righteous deeds are merely the manifestations of the love of Him who is not satisfied to merely inspire us unless He also lowers Himself to our level. For if God, existing eternally with the Father, had not taken on human form at a specific moment in history, how could a mortal being ever grasp the mysteries of the eternal? Thus, the humility of our condition is glorified by the truth that condescends to us. Let us offer glory and adoration to Him who resides with the Father in the bond of the Holy Spirit, our God, throughout all ages. Amen.

The steps of individuals are directed by the Lord (Proverbs 20:24). When a person's path aligns with righteousness, it is not due to their own decisions but rather through the guidance of the One mentioned by Isaiah: "And all our works Thou hast done for us." Who among mankind can truly comprehend their own way? This is evident, for if a person possesses something virtuous, it is not from their own merit but rather a gift of divine grace. They are unable to foresee through their own will what their fate will be, how long they will live, or the extent of their time on earth.