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.” vs1

Praise the Lord because He comforts you. This comfort makes us love Him, even as the love of Christ constrains us. The joy of the gospel produces praise, as He forgives, gives obedience, and then rewards us.

There is INTENSE PLEASURE in Christ, which is the surprise of the gospel - we come to Him whom we’ve forsaken, and He’s greater. The pleasure of pardon, power over sin, and the joy of doing God’s will is so great that we lay down our lives.

This is the praise that He demands: it is not with mouth only but with heart and life. We live for His glory, bringing others to Christ. We praise Him sincerely and see that praise is beautiful. “Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful [Ps 33:1].” To the glory of God’s grace He saved us, so that His grace could be praised forever. He has the joy of giving joy unto others, even us, whom He has chosen.

Praise Him wholeheartedly, Oh you people, and live your best life now.

Secondly, God has become what He was not, and this helps our praise to be real [vs2]. “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’ ”He became Savior by taking our sins in His body on the tree, but He became our salvation when He alleviated us from oppression.

The guilt and shame was strong, and we were under bondage. We tried to deliver ourselves but could not. The curse was on us, even condemnation, and we were deceived by false prophets. We served Satan, and we knew it not. Sin had dominion. Then, one day, He came to us by the gospel. He forgave us, overpowered Satan, and sweetly subdued us. We were like the demon possessed man, utterly fierce… or like the woman dripping blood, utterly filthy… or like the man with the dead daughter, all hope in self was dried up in painful loss [Mark 5]. The Savior came with healing in His wings. He went from being an enemy in our mind by wicked works to the Friend of Sinners, even our best friend.

Has He become your salvation? Have you passed from darkness to light? Have your sins been forgiven? Is it something PERSONAL that’s been done by God for you? Is it real?

Thirdly, we have our marching orders [vs3-6]. Praise the Lord. Sing aloud with joy. Shout out the gospel!

Therefore with joy you will draw water

From the wells of 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!”

Live boldly for God’s glory. Don’t compromise in the fear of man. We’ve got one thing to do in life, which is honor God, and He will be with us. Here is the pleasure that you seek: Don’t hold back, but give it all to Christ by the truth of the gospel. Your strength is nothing, so rely upon Him. Live in imputed righteousness. By faith we are fully righteous without deeds, emotions, or any other evidence. This is the only way to peace. Seek God’s will, knowing that He rewards. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

Living for Christ in the Spirit’s strength is the best life there is. We have comfort and heaven to come. We have no guilt but obedience is ours, and overcoming fierce temptations has pleasure. He is a rewarder, and He will give it, so come to Him and live.

People are deceived into seeking their own - pride, lusts, and self-service. We thought we were wise too, like we could get away with it and escape His chastening hand, but it can’t be. We must live for God’s glory to have the sweetness of life: it is not in corrupting doctrine; it is not in “securing heaven, so I can live for self.” No, it’s not in using the gospel for fame and glory; it is in serving Christ from your heart, because the reward comes from Him who sees everything. “But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. For neither at any time did we use flattering words [to win people to ourselves,] as you know, nor a pretext for coveteousness--God is witness.”