The Wells of Salvation
“In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment, but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee,” saith the LORD thy Redeemer. Isaiah 54:8 (KJV)
Isaiah lived during a very wicked period of Israel’s history. Most of the people worshiped idols. God revealed to Isaiah that the Israelites would soon be disciplined for their sins. And even though Isaiah warned them repeatedly of the coming judgment, they didn’t repent.
In Isaiah 11, God revealed to his prophet that some day the Isarelites would repent, that their hardships would end, and that His King would rule over the nation in righteousness and faithfulness (v. 5). God also promised that He would defeat all Israel’s enemies and that His people would live in peace once again.
Isaiah was so confident that God would fulfill His promise that he wrote a hymn—Isaiah 12:1-6. In verse 3 he said, “you shall draw water out of the wells of salvation.” The word well can also be translated “fountain” or “spring.” It refers to a source of water that does not dry up. From those wells, Isaiah refreshed his spirit with the truths of God’s forgiveness and comfort (v.1), His strength and His deliverance (v. 2).
God must discipline us sometimes. But Isaiah’s hymn reminds us that God will forgive us when we confess our sins, and out of the wells of His salvation will gush forth many blessings.
What life-giving truths do I draw from the wells of salvation? God loves me in spite of all my weaknesses (Jeremiah 31:3). All my sins—past, present, and future—have been paid for (1 John 1:7). Jesus is with me always in all circumstances (Matthew 28:20). I will live forever in heaven with my Savior (John 14:3).
If you are feeling the weight of God’s disciplinary hand on your life, ask for His forgiveness. And then praise Him for the kindness that will surely be poured out on your behalf. He is the LORD, your Redeemer. Drink daily from the wells of His salvation.
DIG DEEPER:
Hebrews 12:6 reminds us that the Lord loves those He disciplines. How is His discipline an act of love? Read Hebrews 12:1-11. Does that verse bring you comfort or discomfort?
Isaiah spoke many comforting words to the people of Judah. Here are a few of those passages: Isaiah 1:18-19; 9:6-7; 43:1-7 and 50:7-10. In what ways do these passages encourage you?
Read Hosea 6:1-3 and Micah 7:7-9. How did these two prophets respond to God’s discipline? What strengthened them during the difficult period they experienced?
Read Hosea’s final words to the people of Judah in Hosea 14:8-9. What does he encourage them to do? What should his words prompt us to do?
Denise K. Loock