O Sing Unto the Lord — Part 1: April 29, 2024

Broadcast

                     O Sing Unto the Lord - Part 1
                              Isaiah 12:1
                              04/29/2024


        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.
             (ESV)

        The Sundays following Easter are named for the first word of
   the Introit, the Psalm sung by the faithful entering the church.
   Last Sunday was named ``Cantate,'' ``Sing,'' from Psalm 98.  ``O
   sing to the LORD a new song, for He has done marvelous things.''

        What is this song of the faithful, the song of praise and
   thanksgiving?  What are the marvelous things accomplished by the
   LORD our God?  For the answer to these questions, we turn to the
   prophet Isaiah and his first song of praise.
        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.


        As you remember, Isaiah was the prophet who called the
   children of Israel to repent, showing them their sins.  He also
   told them of God's wrath, of the seventy years they would spend
   as exiles in Babylon.  Yet, in spite of being torn from their
   land, removed from Jerusalem, God would restore them to this land
   of promise.

        This song of praise also is fitting for those who have
   sinned against God and neighbor, but have received the comfort of
   the forgiveness of their sins.  This ultimate comfort comes not
   from possessing a particular plot of ground, but from receiving
   the redemption from sin and death earned for us by the suffering,
   death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

        We give thanks to the LORD for His anger has turned to
   comfort.  This week we will rejoice with Isaiah, and all of God's
   redeemed people for the freedom given to us for the sake of the
   Son of God.

        May our Lord richly bless and keep you as you give Him
   thanks for all His blessings.  Amen.