June 5
Reading: Isaiah 12
1 You will say in that day:
“I will give thanks to you, O LORD,
for though you were angry with me,
your anger turned away,
that you might comfort me.
2 “Behold, God is my salvation;
I will trust, and will not be afraid;
for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song,
and he has become my salvation.”
3 With joy you will draw water
from the wells of salvation.
4 And you will say in that day:
“Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name,
make known his deeds among the peoples,
proclaim that his name is exalted.
5 “Sing praises to the LORD,
for he has done gloriously;
let this be made known in all the earth.
6 Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion,
for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”
Isaiah 12 continues the presentation of what will happen on that day when “a shoot will spring from the root of Jesse.” (Isaiah 11:1) This is the day when the Messianic King appears and brings a time of peace. This is the day in which the nations will come to the Messiah. (Isaiah 11:10) This is the day when the remnant of faithful believers will be restored and victorious. (Isaiah 11:11-16)
When is this day?
It is important to understand how Old Testament prophesy works and what the words mean. The word “day” can mean a particular moment or a period of time, just as we today speak of what happened back in the “day” when the homesteaders settled the plains. Or we look forward to the day when peace covers the earth.
In Isaiah 11-12 we are talking about the day when the Messiah reigns on the earth. This time has begun with the birth of Jesus the Messiah 2,000 years ago. These prophesies of peace, the nations being gathered, and a remnant restored have begun to be fulfilled. But the complete fulfillment of this day is yet to be realized.
So, the response of the people of God in chapter 12 to the Messiah’s reign has begun. We already give thanks. We rejoice that God’s anger has been turned away, that He is our salvation, our strength and song. We do call on His name and spread His deeds among all peoples. We do praise Him. But all these things we will do so much more when His royal reign is fully realized, and His victory is seen by all.