PRAISE BY THE REDEEMED Isaiah, having surpassed a condition of depression that affected his soul, because of the extent of corruption reached by his people, that led God to chastise them through Assyria. Then, having seen the redemptive work of God, not only by bringing back the captives to Judah, but by what is far greater than that, by the anticipated appearance of the Son of Jesse, a Banner for the nations, who is to gather together, through His exalted love, His believers from all nations, to enjoy His heavenly peace. The prophet could not help but to record, on behalf of these redeemed by the blood of the Savior, a joyful praise, considered as an extension of the prophecy mentioned in the previous chapter, that praises the glory of Christ, His Person, His work, and His Kingdom. 1. God’s mercies amid His anger 1. 2. Jehovah, the mystery of our salvation, strength, and joy 2-3. 3. Testifying to God’s works 4-6. 1. GOD’S MERCIES AMID HIS ANGER “And in that day you will say, ‘O Lord, I will praise you. Though you were angry with me, your anger is turned away, and you comfort me.’” (Is. 12: 1) That new praise, uttered by everyone enjoying the redemptive work of the Lord Christ, begins with the words: “And in that day you will say....” What day is that? It is the day of the cross, the great day of redemption, in which we praise the Lord who turned anger into salvation, comfort, and glory. Through the crucifixion of the Lord Christ, the incarnate Word of God, we were lifted up from anger to glory; the amazing comfort of God was demonstrated by setting us free, from captivity of Satan, his hosts, and his evil works, to let righteousness reign in us. Such will be our praise and thanksgiving for the Lord, not the way the Pharisee did, as he stood in the temple boasting over others, but like the thief on the right hand, expelled out of the camp, because of his sins, to encounter in his company, the Lord Christ, crucified for his sake, to open the gates of Paradise for him. The anger of God on us is thus turned into exalted, heavenly, and divine comforts. In that day, He Himself became our peace (Ephesians 2: 14); and in it, “God reconciled the world to Himself.” (2 Corinthians 5: 19) 2. JEHOVAH, THE MYSTERY OF OUR SALVATION, STRENGTH AND JOY “Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust and not be afraid. For YAH, the Lord, is my strength and my song. He also has become my salvation. Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” (Is. 12: 2, 3) The Coptic Church quoted a part of this song to praise the crucified Lord in the Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, which is: “My strength and praise is the Lord, Who became salvation for me.” God is the source of our strength, our praise, and our salvation! In the midst of partaking of the Passion of her Groom, the Church praises and sings. Her praise and song is Christ Himself; who is everything for her. Through the crucified Christ, we knew the “joyful sound” (Psalm 89: 15), that of the conquest over Satan and his evil deeds! Through the joyful sound of salvation we move from the left hand to the right, to enjoy the fellowship of the joyful heavenly kingdom. Through the cross, a fountain of blood and water came out of the pierced side for us to be sanctified and purified. From it, we joyfully drink, having found the fountain of eternal salvation. Here, he calls God “YAH, the Lord.” YAH a brief of the word Jehovah, the divine name of the eternal unchangeable God, to confirm that on Him, the believer leans, to find in Him his strength, joy, and salvation forever, to get comfort without fear. And as said by St. Augustine, [If you want your joy to abide and to stay, get attached to the eternal God, who suffers no change, but remains forever steadfast1.] 3. TESTIFYING TO THE WORKS OF GOD Some see that the previous phrases (Is. 12: 1 - 3) represent praise separate from the phrases that follow (Is. 12: 4 - 6). However, if the first one proclaims a setting forth of praise in the soul, through enjoying God’s salvation, the second one is complementing it, proclaiming a commitment to testify to God the Savior of nations. What we experience through our union with God our Savior makes us yearn to get others to enjoy the same salvation. “And in that day you will say, ‘Praise the Lord; Call upon His name. Declare His deeds among the peoples. Make mention that His name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, for He has done excellent things. This is known in all the earth. Cry out and shout O inhabitant of Zion, For Great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst” (Is. 12: 4 - 6) How do we testify to the Lord? a. By preaching: “Declare His deeds among the peoples.” And as the Lord says to His disciples, “Go to the whole world; and preach the gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16: 5) Every believer is committed to witness to His Savior. We see the Psalmist David in his 50th Psalm proclaiming his repentance, saying, “Give me the joy of Your salvation... Then I shall teach the transgressors your ways.” b. By the holy Joy: “Sing to the Lord. For He has done excellent things. This is known in all the earth.” There is no greater witness to the Savior than to let others feel our inner joy in the Lord, which goes above all troubles and events. The Psalmist says, “I will go about Your altar, O Lord, that I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all Your wondrous work.” (Psalm 26: 5, 7) The voice of inner joy witnesses to God’s is dwelling in us! The holy joy proclaims the joyful kingdom of God in us! In the biography of St. Apollo the priest of Thebes, on the boundary of Hermopolis (Ashmonin), we read that his face has been joyful all the time; through which he drew many toward the ascetic life, as being joyful inside, and fulfilling the heart with God Himself. He often said, [Why would we strife with a gloomy face? Aren’t we the inhabitants of eternal life? Leave the gloom for the pagans and sinners. The righteous and saints should smile and be joyful, as they enjoy the spirituals2.]
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