Thursday, January 28
Isaiah 12 is a short psalm (song) of praise to God for His merciful and powerful comfort. The psalm, put in the mouth of a member of the restored remnant, compares the promised deliverance to that of the Hebrews in the Exodus from Egypt (see Isaiah 11:16); it is like the song of Moses and the Israelites when they were saved from Pharaoh’s army at the Red Sea (see Exodus 15).
Compare this song in Isaiah 12 to Revelation 15:2-4, the song of Moses and of the Lamb. What are they both praising God for?
Isaiah 12:2 comes close to identifying the coming Deliverer as Jesus. It says that “God is my salvation” and “He also is become my salvation”. The name Jesus means “The Lord is Salvation” (compare Matthew 1:21).
What is the significance of the idea, contained in the name of Jesus, that the Lord is salvation?
Not only does the Lord bestow salvation (Isaiah 12:2); He Himself is salvation. The Presence of the Holy One of Israel in our midst (Isaiah 12:6) is everything to us. God is with us! Not only did Jesus do miracles; He “was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). Not only did He bear our sins on the cross; He became sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21). Not only does He make peace; He is our peace (Ephesians 2:14).
No wonder “a root of Jesse, Which shall stand for an ensign of the people” (Isaiah 11:10). When He is lifted up on the cross, He draws all people to Himself (John 12:32, 33)! A remnant shall return to the “mighty God” (Isaiah 10:21), who is the Child born for us, the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6)!
Dwell more on this idea that Jesus is our salvation. Read Romans 3:24. It says that redemption is in Jesus; redemption is something that happened in Him, and it is through God’s grace and mercy that we can have an eternal share in that redemption, as well. In other words, that redemption that was in Him can become ours by faith, and not by works, because no works we do are good enough to redeem us. Only the works that Christ did, which He credits to us by faith, can bring redemption. How does this truth give you hope and assurance of salvation, especially when you feel overwhelmed by your own sense of unworthiness?
