Isaiah 12
The Lord Is My Strength and My Song
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.”
(ESV)
Drawing from God's Wells
For Chicago, Lake Michigan is an essential resource, providing the city with water for drinking, industry, and recreation. While we don’t drink directly from the lake, we rely on it daily. The lake, always present and dependable, sustains us in many ways. Similarly, God’s salvation is always available and reliable. His grace, like the waters of the lake, is abundant and steadfast. We don’t have to worry about the well running dry because His salvation is always there, ready to refresh and sustain us.
During Advent, we look forward to the coming of Jesus, who brings lasting hope, peace, and joy. Isaiah 12 offers a beautiful picture of God’s salvation—a promise that “on that day,” the people will find abundant joy in God’s presence, giving thanks for His deliverance. But what is “that day,” and what does it mean for us now?
In Isaiah’s time, “that day” referred to a future time when God would save His people from their enemies and restore them to Himself. They would know God’s comfort, their fear would be replaced with trust, and their lives would overflow with thanksgiving. Today, we look back at Christ’s first coming and look forward to His return when all will be made new. Advent reminds us that “that day” has come through Jesus’ birth, life, and resurrection, yet it is still to come in full when He returns.
Isaiah says, “God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.” These words are powerful! We often search for peace and security in our circumstances, but true security comes from God. Knowing that He is our salvation gives us assurance. This isn’t just a general sense of God’s power—it’s a personal assurance. God is my salvation. He offers Himself to us personally, giving us strength and removing our fear.
Isaiah uses the image of drawing water from the “wells of salvation.” Water is essential for life, and this image speaks to the refreshing, life-giving presence of God. Jesus, who described Himself as the living water, fulfills this promise. Through Him, we have access to a wellspring of joy and peace that satisfies our deepest needs.
During Advent, we are invited to draw from these wells daily. Salvation is not a one-time event but a continuous, refreshing relationship with God. Every day, through prayer, worship, and thanksgiving, we can drink deeply from the well of God’s love, mercy, and grace. Like the people in Isaiah’s vision, we are called to respond with gratitude, remembering all God has done and rejoicing in His salvation.
This Advent, as we give thanks for all that God has done and for the hope we have in His promise to make all things new, let our hearts overflow with joy. As we await “that day” when Christ will return, let us draw from the wells of salvation with gladness, trusting in God as our salvation, strength, and song. And just as Isaiah declares, “Shout, and sing for joy...for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel,” let our lives reflect this deep, abiding joy as we celebrate the presence of the Savior who is with us now and will return in glory.
Jonathan Salinas