Break forth into joy
Text: Text : Isaiah 52
2 March 2008
(I) Emptied of joy
1. Mistakes
“For thus says the LORD: “You have sold yourselves for nothing…” Isaiah 52:3
2. Consequences
“…That My people are taken away for nothing? Those who rule over the Make them wail,” says the LORD…” Isaiah 52:5
3. Wasted
“…You waste places of Jerusalem!…” Isaiah 52:9
(II) Every reason to rejoice in receiving good news
1. The carriers of glad news
“How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news…” Isaiah 52:7
2. The content of glad news
What was the content of this good news?
a. Good things
“…Who brings glad tidings of good things…” Isaiah 52:7
b. Peace
“…Who proclaims peace…” Isaiah 52:7
c. Salvation
“…Who proclaims salvation…” Isaiah 52:7
d. God in control
“…Who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’ ” Isaiah 52:7
3. The comfort of glad news
“For the LORD has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem.” Isaiah 52:9
(III) Experience joy breaking forth
1. Begin to rejoice again
“Break forth into joy, sing together, You waste places of Jerusalem!…” Isaiah 52:9
2. Rejoice in being filled with the waters of salvation
“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. 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.’ ‘ Therefore with joy you will draw water From the wells of salvation.” Isaiah 12:1-3
3. Joy in rejuvenation
“For the LORD will comfort Zion, He will comfort all her waste places; He will make her wilderness like Eden, And her desert like the garden of the LORD; Joy and gladness will be found in it, Thanksgiving and the voice of melody.” Isaiah 51:3
4. Joy in our going out
“For you shall go out with joy, And be led out with peace; The mountains and the hills Shall break forth into singing before you, And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, And instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; And it shall be to the LORD for a name, For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” Isaiah 55: 12, 13
5. Joy everlasting
“So the ransomed of the LORD shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, Sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” Isaiah 51:11