In that day you will say: “I will praise you, LORD. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me.”
Isaiah 12:1 (NIV)
Father God, is that not now? Is this not the time of rejoicing and celebrating for Your wrath and anger have been turned away and You have sent great comfort to all who serve You? Through Jesus Christ my Lord You have washed away my sins, removing from me all that is the source of Your wrath towards me and all who call upon His Name. Through Him and by Him You have sent comfort for my tired soul and have poured out Your love towards us. Even though You declared three times, “Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised (Isaiah 9:12, 17, and 21)” in one fell swoop Christ has accomplished what all of my “good deeds” could not.
I praise You, LORD. Thank You for Your patient, long-suffering towards us. Thank You that though You discipline Your children You never destroy them. I am a living witness to that truth! Though I have time and time been allowed to go astray, You have consistently called me back into the fold. You have been my Deliverer and my Shield. You have been my Strong Tower. Thank You for sending Jesus to do what I could not do, the Holy Spirit to change within me what I could not change, and Your love that is the source of my peace. Let this day be a day of rejoicing, for indeed the windows of Heaven are open! I praise You, LORD! Amen!