After all the buildup and celebration of Easter Sunday, returning to “normal” life can seem like a bit of a letdown. The drudgery of daily life’s trials, stresses, and anxieties can often be lacking in joy. But are there wells of joy that we’re missing?

Remember where we are in Isaiah—the nation of Israel had gone through sin and rebellion against God and they had faced judgment. Isaiah was one of the prophets sent by God as “covenant enforcement officers.” He was to remind them of God’s law, but also God’s promises of a coming Messiah who would rule with perfect wisdom and justice and would restore His people. Chapters 11-12 start with a national perspective, but then zoom down to individuals.

National Restoration

11 In that day the Lord will extend His hand yet a second time to recover the remnant that remains of His people, from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the coastlands of the sea. 12 He will raise a signal for the nations and will assemble the banished of Israel, and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. 13 The jealousy of Ephraim shall depart, and those who harass Judah shall be cut off; Ephraim shall not be jealous of Judah, and Judah shall not harass Ephraim. 14 But they shall swoop down on the shoulder of the Philistines in the west, and together they shall plunder the people of the east. They shall put out their hand against Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites shall obey them. 15 And the LORD will utterly destroy the tongue of the Sea of Egypt, and will wave His hand over the River with His scorching breath, and strike it into seven channels, and He will lead people across in sandals. 16 And there will be a highway from Assyria for the remnant that remains of His people, as there was for Israel when they came up from the land of Egypt (11:11-16 ESV).

The people of Israel had been scattered to several surrounding nations when they were conquered. God promised there was coming a day when the remnant would be gathered back together. Although this would be fulfilled in the near future, the ultimate fulfillment would come through Jesus Christ. He would be the signal for the nations (v. 12), the one who would bring reconciliation (v. 13) and triumph over the nations (vv. 14-15). He provides the path for God’s people to be restored (v. 16).

The story didn’t end with Israel; we are those who are being restored now through faith in Jesus Christ. “And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, ‘In you shall all the nations be blessed.’ So then, those who are faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith” (Gal. 3:8-9).

Personal Application

The people of God can rejoice—always—just as Paul told the church in Philippians 4:4. We have all the blessings of salvation in Jesus Christ. If you’re wandering through a desert, finding a source of water is not only lifesaving, but a great joy. Jesus is the source of satisfaction for all the thirsts of life. But how do we draw water from this well? Isaiah 12 gives a few specific “buckets” to use.

1) Give Thanks

1 You will say in that day: “I will give thanks to You, O LORD, for though You were angry with me, Your anger turned away, that You might comfort me.

Dwelling on all the things God has done and all the blessings He has given is a sure source of joy. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights” (James 1:17a). We get spiritual amnesia. We often forget to give thanks for all those good gifts, and we let the difficulties of life overshadow everything else. If we’ll make it a practice to focus on thanking God, we’ll discover greater joy in Him and His blessings to us.

2) Trust in Him

2 “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation.” 3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

We can trust in God’s promises for everything that we will face each day. He has promised to be with us and to give us wisdom. If we look back with gratitude on all God has done in Scripture and in our own lives, we can look forward with hope and faith for what He will do. Christians alone can truly do this, because we have a personal God who is abounding in grace and mercy.

No matter what catastrophes are in the news, God is always in control and will accomplish His purposes. We need not fear, because He holds us in His hands.

3) Help Others Rejoice

4 And you will say in that day: “Give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the peoples, proclaim that His name is exalted. 5 “Sing praises to the LORD, for He has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth. 6 Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”

We naturally praise things that we enjoy, whether it’s a great restaurant, a spectacular view, or a special relationship. C.S. Lewis wrote, “I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment… the delight is incomplete till it is expressed” (Reflections on the Psalms).

Joy is the fuel for evangelism, discipleship, fellowship, and worship. If we delight in our salvation, we want others to experience that same joy. When we gather with brothers and sisters in Christ, we are meant to encourage one another by sharing our joys. God is glorified when we remember and remind one another of His many good gifts.

Are you with joy drawing water from the wells of salvation?

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice” (Phil. 4:4).

Discussion Questions

1) What has happened in the past week that you need to thank God for? What do you need to trust God for in the week to come?

2) Do you have a regular routine of remembering what God has done? Have you shared your gratitude with others? How can we as a church spur one another on in joy and trust?

3) What can you learn from these “wells” in Scripture: Genesis 16:7-14 and 21:15-21; John 4:1-14; John 7:37-39; Revelation 7:17?