Isaiah 12 IN THAT DAY I am not sure what makes other people break into song, but when I am happy or relieved, or reminisce about the past – and when I think positively about the present and future, it just seems to be the only way of heartfelt expression. “My chains are snapped; the bonds of sin are broken. And I am free;” comes easily to mind when I am thinking about God saving me from my sin. “Man of sorrows; what a name, for the Son of God who came; ruined sinners to reclaim: Hallelujah! What a Savior!” comes naturally when I think of my Lord Jesus in a personal way. Thoughts of Christ on the cross bearing my sins makes me think – or sing: “And when I think, that God His Son not sparing; sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in. That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing. He bled and died, to take away my sin!”
There are many “psalms, hymns and spiritual songs,” that seem so suited to me in every situation in which I am found. That maybe was the reason the Holy Spirit moved Isaiah to write two beautiful short psalms of praise in Isaiah twelve. “In that Day,” is the title of both. He had been preaching to the people about all the bad things that were going on around and that were going to come on them soon. Then he prophesied about a future day of glory and blessing that will come for Israel. It hasn’t happened yet, but it will in God’s own time. I take those two little psalms personally as we are going through times that we have never been through before. What a comfort to have a glimpse of the outcome of unforeseen events through the eyes of the Holy Spirit!
The first psalm is of thanksgiving, and the second is a psalm of triumph. His expressions of joy are in view of the people of the Lord being completely yielded to God’s will, and are finally content with His grace and His discipline. It is then the Lord will mean everything to them, and it is then He means everything to us now. He will truly be “The God of my salvation” to the Jews. He is that to me now. So, I will trust Him, and be at peace. He will be the source of our strength and the reason for our joyful singing, even when it seems abnormal.
Israel will realize some day, that in spite of their disobedience and backsliding, God will show His divine favor toward them, and has been all along even though they didn’t acknowledge it. God always keeps His promises and fulfills the terms of the covenants He makes, whether it is in the Old or New Testament times. The redeemed of the Lord will sing a psalm of triumph “for He has done great things,” and this will be known all over the world.
When our hearts are fixed on our Lord, and we are reconciled to Him, we are able to sing a song of faith, of hope and of gladness, and truly mean every word. What joy we have when we experience the blessing of God’s saving grace! The Lord is with us; He satisfies us; He gives us joy and enthusiasm when we worship Him.