ISAIAH’S JOYFUL SONG
The twelfth chapter of Isaiah is one of those joyful Old Testament prophecies of gospel times. It abounds with good news.
At the outset, we are reminded in the first verse that, because the Lord Jesus bore God’s indignation that was rightly due to us, our sins are forgiven, God’s anger is turned away and He is now our Comforter. What an unspeakable privilege this is! The Lord Jesus gave us these reassuring words in John 5:24: “He who hears my word and believes on Him that sent me has everlasting life and will not come into condemnation but is passed from death unto life”. Then Paul assured us in Romans 8:1: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus”. Yes, the Lord Jesus “delivered us from the wrath to come” ( 1 Thess. 1:9).
Well might we sing that lovely chorus, “Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe; sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow”.
Verse 2 of this chapter brings more joyful news. “Behold God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song…”. What a delightful trio of heaven’s favours – salvation from sin, strength for life’s challenges and a joyful song. In addition, we are assured that God is totally trustworthy and He delivers us from all our fears.
Let us think briefly of each of these precious gifts. Firstly, the God of the Bible is rich in mercy and He delights to forgive the man who humbles himself, repents of his sinful ways and believes in the Lord Jesus.
Then we learn in verse 2 that “the Lord is my strength”. This is a promise that God makes repeatedly to His people. For example, in Psalm 29:11 we are assured, “The Lord will give strength to His people, the Lord will bless His people with peace”. God does not ask us to live the Christian life alone. He promises that His strength is made perfect in our weakness.
Next, we read that God’s people sang for joy. Psalm 40 expresses this beautifully – “I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth – praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord.” (NKJ)
How appropriate that we read in Isaiah 12:5 and 6, “Sing to the Lord, for He has done excellent things; this is known in all the earth. Cry out and shout, O inhabitant of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst!” (NKJ)
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