This is what the LORD says: In this place you say is a wasteland without man or beast, in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem that are deserted—inhabited by neither man nor beast—there will be heard again the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of the bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those bringing thank offerings into the house of the LORD, saying:

‘Give thanks to the LORD of Hosts,

for the LORD is good;

His loving devotion endures forever.’

For I will restore the land from captivity as in former times, says the LORD. vs10-11

Salvation is for the glory, honor, and praise of Almighty God: it is so that we love Him from the heart and glorify Him for what He’s done. It is not for man to praise himself, do himself, or to look to himself for. Therefore, it is ALL OF GOD: We must be brought to helplessness, and then delivered! We must be kept helpless to give Him glory.

Indeed we had in ourselves the sentence of death, in order that we should not be trusting in ourselves, but in God, the One raising the dead, [2 Cor 1:9]

First, God does the saving.

“For I will restore the land from captivity as in former times, says the LORD.”

It is not cooperation with man but God’s gift. This is hard for us to understand, because there is no human example. You can give a gift, but the other person must accept it. Yet, when God gives the gift of eternal life, He puts it in the heart, causes us to accept it, and makes us desire it more than anything. It is not man doing his part, but it is all of God from beginning to end. He causes us to will and to do, so He gets glory for everything [Phil 2:13]. If we work hard, then it is His power. If we labor more abundantly, then it is not us but grace.

Paul said, “Unto this also I toil, striving according to His energy, working in me in power.” [Col 1:29]

“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me has not been void. Rather, I toiled more abundantly than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.” [1 Cor 15:10]

Give God glory and cease giving it to self! Lean on Him, instead of a bruised reed.

Secondly, salvation is joyful; it is sincere praise; it is not the drudgery of false religion or the hypocritical show of forced praise, but it is actually seeing yourself a sinner and being delivered!

"There will be heard again the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of the bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those bringing thank offerings into the house of the Lord."

It is Paul, on the road to kill Christians, met by Jesus Christ who could have sent him to hell forever, but instead forgives him and puts him into the ministry.

‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. ‘But get up and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen from Me and what I will show you. [Acts 26:16]

It is Paul obtaining mercy, though he was a blasphemer, and it is grace coming with all that he needs, even faith and love [1 Tim 1:14]. God did not leave one thing lacking in our salvation, but He provides all - all power and strength, all joy and comfort that abounds. Our salvation isn’t tiny but great! It takes us from hell deserving to eternal bliss.

Thirdly, praise God.

‘Give thanks to the LORD of Hosts,

for the LORD is good;

His loving devotion endures forever.’

Give Him the glory. Lean on Him confidently, and preach His gospel boldly [2 Cor 3:12]. Do not care about what man says about you, but honor the Son. Bring others to Him. Talk about His greatness, and preach free grace! Preach it, and preach it, and preach it.

Honor Him in prayer by asking Him to do everything. Come to Him helpless, again and again. Confess your sins, and GO BACK to the Father! Trust His love for you.