Isaiah 42:10
Good Morning, afternoon, evening! Are you feeling down and discouraged today? Are you struggling to find hope and joy in your circumstances? Well, have no fear, because the Lord is here! That’s right, our God is a God of salvation, and He is always ready and willing to rescue us from whatever trouble we may face. In Isaiah 42:10, the prophet encourages us to “sing to the Lord a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who live in them.” Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m not much of a singer. In fact, my singing voice is so bad, it could make a cat screech in terror! But you know what? That doesn’t matter to God. He doesn’t care if we’re tone-deaf or off-key. He just wants us to praise Him with all our hearts, in whatever way we can. Speaking of praise, why do you think Isaiah calls on the “islands” and “coast-lands” to rejoice in verse 10? It’s because God’s salvation isn’t just for the people of Israel. It’s for everyone, everywhere, no matter who you are or where you live. That’s right, God’s love is universal, and His grace extends to the ends of the earth. So, no matter where you are or what you’re going through, remember that you are never beyond the reach of God’s salvation.
In verses 11-12, Isaiah tells us to “let the wilderness and its towns raise their voices; let the settlements where Kedar lives rejoice. Let the people of Sela sing for joy; let them shout from the mountaintops.” I don’t know about you, but when I think of the wilderness, I don’t exactly think of a place where people are bursting with joy and praise. In fact, I’m pretty sure most people would rather stay indoors with the air conditioning on full blast! But you know what? God’s love and salvation can reach even the most desolate and barren places. Whether you’re in a lush green valley or a scorching desert, know that God is with you, and He is worthy of your praise.
And finally, in verse 13, Isaiah gives us a powerful image of God going forth like a warrior. I don’t know about you, but the idea of God as a warrior always makes me think of a thrilling action-packed film where the hero’s power and might allow him to overcome incredible odds. But you know what? God’s power and might go far beyond anything we could ever imagine. He is the Creator of the universe, the King of kings and Lord of lords, and nothing is impossible for Him.
So, my friends, let us rejoice in the Lord’s salvation today, no matter what our circumstances may be. Let us praise Him with all our hearts, in whatever way we can. And let us trust in His timing and patience, knowing that He is always working behind the scenes, even when we can’t see it. May the Lord bless you and keep you, now and always. Amen.