They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of the LORD, they shall cry aloud from the sea.
Is. 24:14
The Jews were taken captive by the Assyrians (during Isaiah’s time) and scattered throughout their kingdom. I can’t imagine being taken captive and having to live in a foreign land not of my choice, but surely that is no reason to be singing, especially the praises of a God who would allow that to happen… right? Yet, in this verse, the people are praising God from the sea (a term meaning many lands).
Why are these people praising the God who allowed them to be taken captive? Perhaps they looked at the positive side of their situation. They weren’t dead like some of their fellow Jews, they weren’t seriously injured, and their homeland was still viable to live on therefore there were possibilities they could return one day. It would be easy to blame the God who allowed the captivity to happen, but would life without God be any happier? No, then they would just be miserable in the situation which they were in.
The truth is, as human we are predisposed to look at the negative side of things, and placing blame to someone (like God) justifies our negative outlook. We can be piss-y and miserable because our situation is not our fault!! Bad things happen because we live in a sinful, fallen world headed for destruction.
God has not changed (Mal. 3:6). He planned our salvation and ultimate victory from the beginning of time “…Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” (Rev. 13:8) and in Him and His plan we can trust because His word is sure “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him…” (2Cor. 1:20 ). No matter what situation we find ourselves in, hope for eternal life is promised to His children, and His Word shall come to pass, every one (Mt. 5:18) “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began” (Tt. 1:2).
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Php. 4:11
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1Th. 5:18 (Notice the word is not “for” but “in” every thing.)
Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him… Job 13:15
Obviously, we don’t have to be thrilled or happy for the bad things that happen. That’s not what any of these scriptures are about. They are saying that in good and even bad times we can trust God, and we can be content in Him- that He is with us in it all (Is. 43:2). For who He is, and in trust of His care for us, we can give Him thanks in every thing- good and bad. We too can sing the majesty of a God who leads us to victory… forevermore!