We come to Isaiah 12 and a reminder of the joy of our Reading Plan – one chapter a day, five days a week. In most plans, we’re hustling through the Old Testament at 2 – 4 chapters a day, and we miss stuff. I have certainly missed this gem, which reads like a psalm.
Hard times, whether personal or national, don’t last: there is joy on the other side. Here is the text without comment, beginning with the last verse of Isaiah 11 for context:
And there will be a highway from Assyria for the remnant that remains of his people, as there was for Israel when they came up from the land of Egypt.
You will say in that day:
“I will give thanks to you, O LORD, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day:
- Give thanks to the LORD,
- call upon his name,
- make known his deeds among the peoples,
- proclaim that his name is exalted.
- Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth.
- Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel. (Isaiah 11.16 – 12.6, ESV)
Amen.
PS The Indiana Hoosiers National Champion football team could certainly relate! “…your anger turned away…God is my salvation!”
PPS My friend Dr. John Ed Mathison, an accomplished athlete – basketball in his youth and tennis for a very long time – wrote about the Hoosiers today. It’s worth the read: Do Your Job