10/10/12. Isaiah 12:1-6. SURELY GOD IS MY SALVATION-my devotional

Key Verse: 12:2                                                                                  Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF

“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.”

     Dear Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for you love and your grace. Thank you for getting us out of emotional ruts that seem to be holding us hostage taking a heavy toll on our hearts. When all seems lost and when there is no way out, you are there to rescue and set the captives free. Thank you Lord for your great salvation. I need you each and every day. I depend on you. I also thank you the Network of Nations ministry. Bless their efforts to show genuine Christian hospitality to internationals coming to NIU. Help us to show hospitality to internationals. Please help me to accept one word of God through this passage. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Part 1: The Wells of Salvation (1-3).

Verses 1-3, “In that day you will say: “I will praise you, Lord. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me. ² Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” ³ With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”

Isaiah wrote to the people ofIsraelwhen they were undergoing unspeakable misery because of their sins. They had no joy or salvation to hope for in the world; at the same time they had much to fear. But in the day of the Lord they can say, “Surely God is my salvation” (2). The day of the Lord is the day of salvation. In that day people will praise the Lord. In that day, the people who were so severely judged in their sins, will be comforted by the Lord himself. In that day the wells of salvation will overflow with everlasting joy for God’s people.

I was undergoing unspeakable inner misery before I met Jesus. I was lost in a deep sense of meaninglessness and a heart that only longed of hedonism. I was being left behind it the dust of life. Most of the time I felt bored and meaningless and lonely. I had no quality achievements in my life and was driven to deeper isolation. I had no forgiveness and love from God and no eternal life. I would eventually face the judgment seat of Christ. That was my sad condition before meeting Jesus in 1986. But God had mercy on me. He sent Christians into my life that taught me the Bible and prayed for me. God helped me to open my heart to his love and his grace. I found a new meaning of life, a new mission in my life and a new hope. I was forgiven and saved from sin. I could become a citizen of theKingdomofGodand receive eternal life. Praise the Lord.

God was outside of my life. I was experiencing a life without a relationship with Jesus. I was living a life that was tantamount to living as an enemy of God. But despite of years of rejecting him, he forgave me and continues to forgive me. He comforts my heart and soul. He gets me out of a rut that I allow myself to get into due to my unrepentant sins. What grace! “² Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” ³ With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”

God’s salvation never ends. It continues day after day. It is there for any who come to Jesus with faith in their hearts. It is unlimited, just like a stream brings forth unlimited water. There is enough salvation to last more than the rest of my lifetime. Praise God! I thank God for saving me from the dungeon of emotions that was gripping my heart. God worked a powerful work of salvation at the “Weekend to Remember” marriage retreat.  It was so liberating and set the stage for renewing my relationships with those around me. God’s salvation will never end.

Part 2: Let This Be Known to All the World (4-6).

Verses 4-6, “In that day you will say: “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. ⁵ Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. ⁶ Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.”

God was doing more than just making his name known amongIsrael. He was usingIsraelto display his glory to all nations.Israelwas the crossroads of world empires. God was hoping that through generous hospitality and faithful Bible teaching that the people of the world may come to the Lord for salvation. In this way they could be a light to the Gentiles and a kingdom of priests.

God’s hope for all people has not changed. God wants his salvation to be known in all the world. His salvation makes us priests to all nations. He makes us into those who proclaim his greatness to all nations. I can proclaim the name of Jesus at DeKalb and NIU. I can proclaim Jesus’ name at work. I can set the spiritual tone in my family. I can network with other ministries. I can be a shepherd and a Bible teacher for others.  I can be strategist for the sending of missionaries to the First Nations People of Northern Ontario. I can show God’s love to my wife and kids and we can proclaim Jesus through our family. In the past I could not do much of anything of any importance. But now I can proclaim Jesus name and the way of salvation to the nations. Thank you Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your overflowing salvation. Bless me that the news of your greatness may overflow from my lips and my family.

One Word: Experience and Proclaim God’s salvation