November 18, 2007am  Thankful for Rain - God’s Refreshment!    Isaiah 12

By Ronald E. George Jr. at the Fayetteville Baptist Church

 

When I was growing up my I often stayed with my uncle and aunt who had no indoor plumbing.  My cousin and I had to go to the well house to get the water.  The water in the well was cool, clear refreshment. 

            This week the governor of Georgia has called for a day of prayer for rain.  The whole state is drying up.  He acknowledged in his request they wanted to ask God to send rain.  At the same time he also said he knew that they had done all that God wants them to do.  It sounded like he was saying that they also needed forgiveness.  There is something quite refreshing when you ask for God’s help and forgiveness.  It is like water on a dry earth.  We just soak it up. 

 

Scripture Text:  Isaiah 12     In that day you will say: “I will praise you, O Lord. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me. 2 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.” 3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. 4 In that day you will say: “Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. 5 Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. 6 Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion , for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.” [1]

 

In That Day?  That day refers to the coming day of the Lord when he will establish his kingdom on earth.  But this day is the past, present, and future day of salvation we enjoy.  Do you need some refreshment?  Would you draw water from God’s wells of salvation. 

 

Do you need some refreshment?

 

Here it is:  Draw waters from the well of refreshment.  It is called the well of salvation/ refreshment.

 

1.      Praise refreshment:  We acknowledge who God is and who we are.  There is only one true living God.  He is our God and He is our salvation. Draw out some praise.

 

2.      Comforting refreshment:  This same God is our comfort.  He is with us to help us and comfort us with his presence.  Draw out some comfort.

 

3.      Forgiveness refreshment:  Although He was angry, but now He has forgotten our sin because he forgiven us.  Have you drawn out some forgiveness?

 

4.      Salvation refreshment:  He is our salvation.   We come to him and invite him into our lives.  He is our only source of salvation.  Who else has power over death, hell, and the grave?   Have you drawn out salvation from his well?

 

5.      Strength refreshment:  Our Lord and our creator has all that you need.  Do you need some strength?  We are weak but He is strong.  Will you draw out strength from the Lord? 

 

6.      Singing refreshment:  Sing unto the Lord a new song.  This is salvations song.  Singing refreshes the lungs and the Spirit.  We sing because we can and because we want to.  Have you drawn from the well of song?  Sing to the Lord. 

 

7.      Joy refreshment:  The joy of the Lord is our strength.  Joy comes through knowing the Lord and the hope that he gives to each one who calls on his name.  Do you need some joy?  Will you call on his name and sing his praise?  Will you give yourself to him who gave his life for you?  Take some joy from the well. 

 

8.      Thanksgiving refreshment.  This is thanksgiving.  Giving thanks to him puts things in this life in proper perspective.  He is God.  He is our source of life.  He gives us all things.  We thank him.  We are humble and grateful for his love.  Thank you Lord.  Will you draw out some thanksgiving? 

 

9.      Prayer refreshment:  Call on his name.  Praying is like drawing water from the well. He is there for the asking and taking.  But do we take him?  The water in the well had to be drawn out.  Prayer is our taking of God.  Will you take him?  Will you ask him?  Will you call on him?  Will you pray to him? 

 

10. Telling refreshment/ Shouting refreshment:  Great is the Lord.  Will we be refreshed by telling it?  Shout it out.  God is good all the time.  Tell about it at the table of thanksgiving.  Tell about it during the day and in the night.  Tell about him to your friends and neighbors.  Shout it out that he is the King and he is your King.  Let others know what the Lord has done for you.  Tell it.   This is refreshing to the heart of those who are dying out.  We haven’t done all we should, but he has forgiven us and given us his salvation.   He is our God. 

 

Will you draw water from the well?  He is our salvation and he is our well of refreshment.  Do you need some rain?  Do you need some refreshment?

 

 

 

 

 

 



[1]The Holy Bible : New International Version (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996, c1984). Is 12:1-6.