My Salvation
There are moments in the scripture when the topic is extremely specific and moments when the topic is vague. Isaiah 12 happens to be both. The passage is directly talking to the “His people” and telling them that “On that day,” (vs 1) that they will “give thanks to you, O Lord” (vs. 1). This verse is a direct reference to what is happening in Isaiah 11:11-12, which says, “Then it will happen on that day that the Lord will again recover the second time with His hand the remnant of His people, who will remain, from Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Cush, Elam, Shinar, Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. And He will lift up a standard for the nations, and will assemble the banished ones of Israel, and will gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.” All of this follows the verse 1-5 of Isaiah 11 which describes the Messiah coming to rule. That is the setting into which Isaiah 12 is placed: the Messiah has come to rule as king and his people shall give thanks.
“Then you will say on that day, “I will give thanks to you, O Lord; for although you were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me. Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.” Therefore you will joyously draw water from the springs of salvation. And in that day you will say, “Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name. Make known His deeds among the peoples; make them remember His name is exalted.” Praise the Lord in song, for He has done excellent things; let this be known throughout the earth. Cry aloud and shout for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.” – Isaiah 12
This is an instance of an “already/not yet.” Christ has not yet come to rule as king; but Christ is already my salvation and deliverance from sin. By Jesus death on the cross and his resurrection my sinful and damned soul was redeemed. Once I, “because of [my] hard and impenitent heart…[was] storing up wrath for [myself] on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgement will be revealed” (Romans 2:5). God’s wrath is terribly harsh and unrelenting. Yet, I would deserve it! “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures” (Romans 1:20-23)
It is tempting to deny this accusations. How could I be such a person? It is easy to think, “Clearly God doesn’t know me, I’d never give a man or an animal the credit God deserves.” It is convicting to realize how corrupt I really am. How often do I stand basking in the glory of my achievements; lifting my ego for others to worship and praise? Even in the depths of my own heart, don’t I mimic King Nebuchadnezzar and reflect, “Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?” (Daniel 4:30). Yet all that was just storing wrath for myself; storing up the reasons for my deserved execution.
Against all expectations, there is a way of escape: his name is Jesus Christ. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through
Him. For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life” (Romans 5:8-10). How can I help but give Jesus praise and glory? By His death on my behalf, I have been given an opportunity to live. Sometimes, in the quiet of the night, I ponder my own failures; and an image frequently invades my mind: a man beaten and bloodied laying upon a cross with a crown of thorns piercing his skull, the blood dripping down his face. His chest is torn with deep lacerations from whips weaved with shards of glass. There I am, standing above him with the hammer, driving the nail into his wrists. With every swing I see the latest sin in my life: a little lie, a little lust, a random out burst of rage, a spiteful word or a delicious gossip. The nail goes deeper and deeper, tearing his skin and he is screaming in pain; but His words are, “Father, forgive him.”
That should be my execution. That is the death I deserve but Jesus took my spot; for Jesus the Messiah King is my salvation.
“Then you will say on that day, “I will give thanks to you, O Lord; for although you were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me. Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.” Therefore you will joyously draw water from the springs of salvation. And in that day you will say, “Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name. Make known His deeds among the peoples; make them remember His name is exalted.” Praise the Lord in song, for He has done excellent things; let this be known throughout the earth. Cry aloud and shout for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”
“Behold the man upon a cross, my sin upon His shoulders. Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there until it was accomplished. His dying breath has brought me life. I know that it is finished.
I will not boast in anything, no gifts, no power, no wisdom; but I will boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer; but this I know with all my heart, His wounds have paid my ransom.” – How Deep the Father’s Love
