READING: Isaiah 9-12
“Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me.”
Isaiah 12:1
To a messed up, rebellious world, God would send a deliverer, a child on whose shoulders the government would rest. He would be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa 9:6). The Spirit of the Lord would rest upon him, evidenced in his wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, and knowledge (Isa 11:1-2). In his kingdom he will gather the nations of the world when “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Isa 11:9).
It’s the hymn of deliverance found in Isaiah 12, however, that most captures my attention. In your mind, consider singing these words to whatever tune comes to mind:
I will praise you, Lord.
Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me.
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. (Isa 12:1-3)
In this song, the truth of the Redeemer’s coming becomes personal. The Lord had a right to be angry with me when I rebelled against Him both by my nature and my actions. Nevertheless, He sent His Son, the Wonderful Counselor, to bear His wrath in my place; He turned His anger from me, and He is surely my salvation. He truly is my strength and my defense. The One who would be justified to condemn me has saved me instead.
How can I not praise Him? How can I not “make known among the nations what he has done”? (Isa 12:4). How can I not “shout aloud and sing for joy”? (Isa 12:6). How can I just stay silent?
ACTION STEPS:
- Meditate on these words: “Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me.”
- Sing God’s praises today.
PRAYER: “God, thank You that Your anger has turned away from me.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Micah 1-4
*First published in 2016
