Scripture Daily

Context No. 3403 of 4322 · Isaiah

Context · Reflection

Isaiah 12:1-6: in context

1In that day you will say, “I will give thanks to you, the LORD; for though you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you comfort me. 2Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD, the LORD, is my strength and song; and he has become my salvation.” 3Therefore with joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation. 4In that day you will say, “Give thanks to the LORD! Call on his name! Declare his doings among the peoples! Proclaim that his name is exalted! 5Sing to the LORD, for he has done excellent things! Let this be known in all the earth! 6Cry aloud and shout, you inhabitant of Zion, for the Holy One of Israel is great among you!”

This short song bursts with the joy of salvation. Though God had been angry, his anger has turned away, and now the redeemed sing: behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.

Notice the movement from fear to trust. Because God himself has become my salvation, fear gives way to trust and song. And there is a lovely image: with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. Salvation is like a deep, refreshing well from which we can keep drawing joy again and again; it is not a one-time drink but a spring we return to. And the song does not stay private. Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name, make known his deeds among the peoples. Salvation received turns naturally into thanksgiving, and thanksgiving into telling others what God has done. Joy that is real cannot help but overflow into praise and witness.

Have I let God's salvation turn my fear into trust and song, drawing joy from the wells of salvation and making his deeds known to others?

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