Text: Isaiah 12:2 “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.”
Introduction: Chapter 12 seems to be a hymn of praise. It is a graphic prophecy of the people’s joy when Christ comes to reign over this earth in the Messianic kingdom, which is yet to be. However, it is also descriptive of the here and now concerning the child of God.
Today we would like to point out a few great truths that are found in this verse that are relevant for us now. I pray that God will take these few thoughts and work them into your heart, and bless you with them in the days ahead.
Notice if you will, that this verse speaks of a:
I. A Great Truth.
“Behold, God is my salvation…”
Could there ever be a greater truth spoken? If there is any salvation to be found, it must be found in God.
Consider two facts about this great truth with me:
A. He is the Originator of salvation.
Man could never design a plan of salvation that would be fitting in an eternity, for it is not in his nature. God is the great architect behind the plan of salvation, for it is He who designed it. He is the originator. When it comes to salvation we must put all of the emphasis on God, for that is where it is due.
B. He is the Orchestrator of Salvation.
Man would never come to God on his own, for the Bible makes that very clear. The Bible teaches us emphatically in Romans 3:11 “There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.” With this truth in mind we can only come to one conclusion; God must be the divine orchestrator behind salvation.
Truly God is our salvation. Without Him there would be no salvation.
II. A Great Trust.
“…I will trust, and not be afraid…”
If we are ever to be at ease in this life we must learn to trust God every day, about every thing.
Notice two things with me regarding this great trust:
A. The Claim of his trust.
“…I Will…”
In this statement he is making an affirmation regarding his trust in the Lord. He does not say, “I might”. He says, “I will”. In other words, he is saying no matter how dark the night, how stormy the sea, how terrible the enemy, or how forsaken I may feel, I WILL TRUST!
This is an affirmation that we should make every day.
B. The Consequences of his trust.
“…and not be afraid…”
Here we have the consequences of such a trust in the Lord. Fear is dispelled for the believer who fully trusts in God. I am fully persuaded that the individual who is always afraid, is an individual who trusts God very little.
III. A Great Triumph.
“…for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song…”
There is triumph for the believer in this life. It is found in the Lord, and Him alone.
Notice two simple facts that are stated by Isaiah concerning the believer’s triumph:
A. There is the Strength of our triumph.
“…for the Lord Jehovah is my strength…”
The little song that most children learn first in church is “Jesus Loves Me”. The First line says, “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong, they are weak but He is strong.” No truer words have ever been spoken. Indeed we are weak, but He is ever so strong. Triumph will never be out of reach as long as “The Lord Jehovah is our strength”.
B. There is the Song of our triumph.
“for the Lord Jehovah…is my song”
Notice the song of the victorious saint. It is a song of undiluted praise toward God. It is not only toward Him, for He is the subject of this song. Isaiah said, “He is my song”.
~ Psalm 43:4 “Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.”
IV. A Great Transcendence.
“…He also is become my salvation.”
What an enormous truth we have before us. He is not only my salvation; He has become my salvation.
Notice two things with me concerning this tremendous truth:
A. The Person spoken of.
“…He…”
The “He” that is spoken of is God. He has transcended the very portals of glory and came down to this earth to become my salvation. He has become “Jesus” the incarnate one. The very name Jesus comes from the Greek word “Jeshuah”, which means “God is salvation”. Do you remember why Joseph was told to name the baby that was to be born Jesus? Was it not because He would save His people from their sin?
Who are we that He would become our salvation?
B. The Propitiation spoken of.
To become our salvation it was not enough for Him to become a living breathing human being, He must also become our sacrifice and that is exactly what He did. He did not come to this earth to live for us; He came to this earth to die for us so that through His death we might live.
Who are we that He would become our salvation?
Conclusion: It is my prayer that you have gleaned something from these few meager thoughts that will help you, and bless you in the days ahead. May God bless you greatly with these great truths from Isaiah.
