FROM ANGER TO COMFORT

Isaiah 12:1-6 (ESV) 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."

These are beautiful words that should stir up our hearts. How often do we give thanks that God turned from anger to comfort. God has every right to be angry with our sin. It is extremely offensive to Him. Yet because of the "root of Jesse" He has turned His anger away from us. And as if that is not enough, He now gives us comfort. Comfort in the form of salvation. Comfort in the form of trust. Comfort from the fear of His wrath and hell. We have been spared. When we trust in Christ who has become our salvation, shouldn't our hearts gain strength? Shouldn't our heart break forth into song? Whate'er comes our way, the LORD GOD is our strength and our song and our salvation. Come and let us "Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously, let this be made known in all the earth." Raise you voice, child of God. Let His praise extend to all the earth.

Pastor Sloan