Scripture: Isaiah 25 and 26
I. You can sing in enemy territory because God will be exalted.
A. The words of Isaiah 25:1 are similar to the words that the people of Israel sang after they had defeated the Egyptians in Exodus 15:2: “The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.” The song that God’s people Israel sang in the enemy territory of Egypt has become another song of praise that God’s people will sing in enemy territory.
B. Jesus’ mother Mary sings the same song as Isaiah of the high brought low and the low lifted up after Jesus is born. Luke 1:46-48, 52-53: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant… he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate;he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.”
II. You can sing in enemy territory because God is your refuge.
A. In Isaiah 25:4 we see what kind of refuge God is: “For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat; for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall.” And when God comes to judge sin, we should go inside our homes like the people did in the Passover (Isaiah 26:20). Where is the safe place of refuge from God’s judgment? Under the blood of the Lamb – Jesus Christ.
B. Because of Jesus, we not only have a safe house to be our refuge. We also have a safe city (Isaiah 26:3-4). This place of safety is not so much a city. The place of safety is a person: the LORD himself. A huge part of living by faith is just waiting. It is waiting for God to do what He promised He would do (Isaiah 25:9).
III. You can sing in enemy territory because victory is coming.
A. We Christians know how the story of the world ends. It ends with a feast (Isaiah 25:6). The feast says we will be satisfied. We will be full. Our thirst will be quenched. All our needs will be met. And death will be defeated at the end (Isaiah 25:7-8, 26:19). 1 Corinthians 15:54-55: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” We’re going to hear a song at a wedding feast according to Revelation 19:6-7: “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready.”
Application:
I can sing in enemy territory today because I know Jesus wins, and I will win too.
Sources:
The Bible
Commentaries by J.A. Motyer, Derek Thomas, Tim Chester, David Jackman and Bob Fyall.
Sermon Discussion Questions
- Why is God’s judgment a good thing? How would you explain the goodness of His judgment to a non-Christian?
- What does it mean, practically speaking, to wait for the Lord? Why can we be confident as we wait for the Lord?
- What is it about God’s character that allows you to sing when you are walking through enemy territory and hard times? What has God promised to do for His people at the end of the world?