Isaiah 12

Isaiah 12:1–6 ESV

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.”

This chapter of Isaiah teaches us about delighting in God (v.3).

Delighting in God is finding life fulfillment in our relationship with God.

Delight is a personal experience. (v.1-2)

Delight is born from God’s mercy (v. 1)

It is aware of God’s righteous anger.

It is aware of God’s gracious comfort.

Delight immerses itself in dependence. (v. 2)

Delight is found in resting from our fears.

Delight is found in relief from self sufficiency.

Delight is also a public experience. (v.4-6)

Delight results in public gratitude (v. 4).

Delight naturally testifies to others.

We do this by sharing our stories of God’s mercy and love to us.

We do this by telling people the good news of God’s offer of forgiveness.

Delight is concerned for God’s glory (v. 5-6).

A concern for God’s glory is not limited to sharing the gospel with people.

There is a larger concern for God’s reputation:

Among non-Christians (v. 5).

and in the Church (v. 6).

How can we pursue delight in God?

Application:

Experiencing a life of delight in the LORD is crucial to growing in that relationship. However, it is absolutely contrary to what our natural patterns are. For this reason, we must be determined to persist in pursuing God-centered delight throughout our lives by:

Contemplating how we have broken God’s laws, and deserve his anger.

Reminding ourselves of the promise we have of God’s forgiveness and comfort, when we repent.

Ask God for his help and protection in all of life’s challenges.

Practice gratitude for all the ways God has been good to you.

Tell others about what God is like, and what he has done for you.