God is never indifferent to human need. In the Bible, indifference is described as lukewarmness, joylessness, weariness, or a state of spiritual apathy. This can happen when believers become weary in doing good or even by allowing an attitude of hypocrisy to secretly rise up in us—pretending to be righteous while our attitudes and actions contradict our stated beliefs. Satan is clever and he can make us “feel” good about ourselves even though our primary focus may be self-interest rather than God’s purpose.
Frankly, as human beings, we can all too easily wander into indifference. People may walk on the spiritual path of indifference, but God is pure love and he never waivers from the path of righteousness. Rather than getting angry at us, he comes for us to rescue us from indifference. God makes us victorious. For this reason, we should be filled with gratitude and spiritual fervor—enthusiastic devotion to God that is fueled by the Holy Spirit.
In our passage today, the prophet Isaiah leads God’s people into a song of faith and praise. Through Isaiah, God has already given them the Good News of the Son’s arrival. “For a child is born to us, a Son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa 9:6). The child came—birth of Jesus the Son of God fulfilled (Luke 2:10-11). Yet, God reminds his people there are still future prophecies yet to be fulfilled.
Some of those things yet to come, based on Isaiah’s Old Testament prophecy, will be a change in the economy, a change in physical existence, a change in judicial life, and a change in the spiritual world (Isa 9:7; 11:6-9; 40:23; 42:6-7). In the New Testament, there will be a change in evangelism—every tongue will sing God’s praises (Phil 2:11).
Disobedience to God’s covenant caused great suffering in the past and history tends to repeats itself. So, telling others about Jesus, as our awesome Savior, is key in fulfilling God’s purpose for believers to make disciples. The sooner the whole world knows about Jesus, the sooner our Savior returns. Praise the Lord!
Isaiah 12:1-6 NLT Songs of Praise for Salvation
1
In that day you will sing:
“I will praise you, O Lord!
You were angry with me, but not any more.
Now you comfort me.
2
See, God has come to save me.
I will trust in him and not be afraid.
The Lord God is my strength and my song;
he has given me victory.”
3
With joy you will drink deeply
from the fountain of salvation!
4
In that wonderful day you will sing:
“Thank the Lord! Praise his name!
Tell the nations what he has done.
Let them know how mighty he is!
5
Sing to the Lord, for he has done wonderful things.
Make known his praise around the world.
6
Let all the people of Jerusalem shout his praise with joy!
For great is the Holy One of Israel who lives among you.”
Prayer: Lord, praise should come flowing out of your redeemed sons and daughters like an unstoppable fountain. We must make you known to the world and the way to do that is in the power of the Spirit. You live in us and give us the victory; therefore, we can proclaim and live the Truth. Keep us filled with fervor and focus us on your purpose for making disciples. In Jesus’ name. Amen.