Sing On

Isaiah 12:4-6
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.

"Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously;
    let this be made known in all the earth.
Shout and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion,
    for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel."

Devotional
When Isaiah prophesied these words to a lost and fearful people, God's promises struck like a stone through thin ice, shattering their terrified expectation that nothing could be good ever again.

God called them to be strong and courageous to face the times they endured, and he gave them a reason to be strong and courageous: he is in their midst.

They have two tasks, two divine assignments: to make known God's deeds among the peoples, and to shout and sing for joy in praise of the Lord.

Make known God's deeds among people who don't believe and among those who do:
God made the whole world and has it in his hands.
God loves and calls people to be a blessing to the world.
God rescued his people from slavery in Egypt.
God rescued his people from sin.
God rescued his people from death.
God saved my life.

So shout, sing for joy, inhabitants of Zion, citizens of the city of God, because God is in your midst and everything he does is wonderful.

No storm can shake my inmost calm
   while to that Rock I’m clinging.
Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth,
   how can I keep from singing?

Prayer
Lord, through all the tumult and the strife, let your music ring on, and find an echo in my soul, that I can't keep from singing. Amen.