Jesus' New World Order (3)
Scripture Reading — Isaiah 12
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
Isaiah 12:3
Isaiah 12 begins by assuring us that God’s anger is not against us but against our sin. As soon as sin is dealt with, God’s anger turns away and is replaced with comfort. What a powerful transformation! Forgiveness of sin is God’s most precious gift, and Immanuel came to accomplish that. As a result of his coming, “water from the wells of salvation” flows throughout the world.
Our verses today contain a powerful song: “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.”
This is another assertion from Isaiah’s Old Testament gospel of what God’s grace in Christ does. “I will trust and not be afraid.” Why? Because “the LORD, the LORD .?.?. has become my salvation.” This is the foundation for the end of hostilities among peoples and nations.
The impact of Immanuel’s reconciliation is both vertical (with God) and horizontal (with people). Immanuel ends our enmity with God and brings people to unity with one another in a wonderful way that transcends all national, ethnic, and language barriers.
The result is a chorus of gladness: “In that day you will say: ‘Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done … Sing to the LORD … let this be known to all the world.’”
Father, the accomplishments of your Son, Immanuel, are more than amazing. We want the whole world to join us in singing about them! Praise be to you! In his name, Amen.
About the author — Victor Atallah
Rev. Victor Atallah is the broadcast team leader for The Back to God Hour Arabic ministry and the general director of Middle East Reformed Fellowship. These meditations are based on texts of Arabic broadcasts aired a few years ago and an Arabic commentary on the book of Isaiah prepared for publication. Rev. Atallah and his wife, Lisa, live in Larnaca, Cyprus, where The Back to God Hour Arabic ministry is based. The ministry reaches Arabic-speaking people throughout the Middle East and North Africa, introducing them to Jesus Christ, Savior of the nations.
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