Isaiah 12:2 AMPC
[2] Behold, God, my salvation! I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and song; yes, He has become my salvation.
The book of Isaiah has accounts of songs and prophecies about the coming salvation of God, as well as His intervention in the affairs of Judah. Here was a prophet of God in the days of kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. These were times when the nation of Judah was sliding into apostasy and rebellion against God. God sent many prophets, including Isaiah, to warn His people about their ways, but as we know, it is easy to get comfortable around routine, until the consequences start to apply. For Isaiah, he was given the assignment of receiving messages from God and delivering these to the people, whether they liked the messages or not. The man who will be used of God to change lives must not be bothered by the hostility, or even the applause of men. You do that which God commands, and step back and let Him work.
The entire chapter from where the verse above is taken is a song of praise and deep appreciation of what God had done: He had been angry, but now, His anger had turned away, and He had sent His comfort. Let it be known that God has no favourites when it comes to sin; He will punish it, no matter in whom it is found. With Judah, these were His own chosen people, on whom He had set His affection, but they consistently rebelled and disobeyed Him. Before we point the finger at Judah, can we honestly consider our lives, and see if we are any different? Do we seek His will at all times, and are quick to obey? Are we interested more in optics than in total obedience? Let it be known that actions have consequences, as we see in the lives of the people of Judah. May we not learn the bitter and hard way; may we surrender our lives to God and allow Him do that which He wants in and through us.
For Isaiah, God's will was his daily pursuit and priority. As we see from an earlier chapter, he had experienced the holiness of God, and he would not compromise that for anything. He was ready to declare the person and power of God to all who would listen. He knew God as his salvation, and he would tell the world about Him. Can I do the same too, knowing that I have to encounter Him first before I can truly celebrate Him? Even when things go very wrong, as they did for Judah, God's nature of love, and His Omnipresence, give me the confidence to face whatever comes my way with joy. He is my strength and song, enabling me to get to heights I could not attain, or places I could not access, on my own. No matter what lies ahead, I know who this God is, and I hold on to Him for dear life. He has shown His capacity, and I know He will bring me home safely. Do you know this same God? God's time of favour is here.
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