Last Sunday, I was listening to a message on John 3 at church. And our pastor was talking about verse 16, probably one of the most famous, if not the most famous verse in the Bible.
He asked us this question: What does this mean to you? Is it a verse that still stirs your soul? Or have they become just words?
I think sometimes it can be easy to take our salvation for granted. When was the last time that you really thought about what it all means?
This passage in Isaiah is a reminder to me of what it all means.
I will praise you Lord. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me.
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. (Isaiah 12:1-3)
I remember growing up, fearing my dad’s anger when I did something wrong.
Many people feel that way about God. They hide from him, thinking he’s just waiting to nail them for the wrong things that they have done.
But it says here that there’s no need to be afraid of God. That because of his mercy and grace, his anger has turned away from us.
Through Jesus, we now have salvation from our sins. And instead of being a God we need to fear and hide from, he has become our joy and song.
Not only that, he is with me every moment of every day. Wherever I go, whatever I do, his hand is on me. To bless. To guide. And to protect.
I really need to think about all this more in my life. To think about just how much I have in Christ.
I have so much to be grateful for. And this world needs to hear the message that has set me free.
As Isaiah wrote,
Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.
Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Shout aloud and sing for joy! (Isaiah 12:4-6)
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 