“Shout for joy, O heavens! And rejoice, O earth!

Break forth into joyful shouting, O mountains!

For the Lord has comforted His people

And will have compassion on His afflicted."

God Almighty will have compassion on His afflicted people. He will lift us from nothingness and cause us to inherit salvation. He will not be stopped by man’s love of sin or his blindness by nature.

First, He will not fail nor be disappointed. Nothing can stop Him or stay His hand. No force in the universe, not even devils, can overcome Him. He casts out Satan with a simple word, “Go” [Matt 8:32]. He will accomplish all of His good pleasure. The elect are not held captive to an impotent god. The Almighty can and will save.

Secondly, He's not dependent on man. Men think that they are in control, but they are not. God's not a God who saves, if man lets Him. He saves whom He will [Rom 9:15].

He even uses whom He pleases when He pleases. He forces Jonah to preach, and Paul too. Paul says "Yet when I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, for necessity is laid upon me; Yes, woe to me if I do not preach the gospel [1 Cor 9:16]!" Paul has no choice in the matter. God has people who need the gospel, so He transforms Saul - the Christian killer - into Paul - the greatest Christian in the world. He reaches out the gospel through man, but He makes us willing to be used [Isa 6:8].

Thirdly, the blood of Jesus demands the salvation of God’s people. He's paid the price and made atonement. He satisfied the justice of God. Now, the paid debt demands that the prisoner must go free. God cannot punish Christ for all our sins, including unbelief, and then punish us a second time. Jesus cannot ransom us with the blood of redemption, and then God allows us to perish. The sheep must come to the Shepherd, and everyone of God’s elect must be saved… or else God is unjust, which is impossible!

God has nothing to be angry about and nothing to punish, so He comes preaching peace - peace ALREADY MADE by the blood of Christ. He’s already punished sin fully for everyone who believes! Eph 2:17, “And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near.” He won't lash the Son and then lose the people.

Fourthly, the Spirit will do it. He won't fail to convict of sin, but He'll humble the proudest and bring us to nothing. John 16, "And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment;" This conviction strips us, humbles us, and then lifts us up in Christ. We see that He conquered sin and Satan. Now, all who believe, though guilty and filthy, are washed, cleansed, and have the Spirit’s power to obey Christ. This conviction is deep in the soul, undeniable, and it can never be eradicated. It will make men trust Christ.

Therefore, preach the word wholeheartedly and clearly. Preach it distinctly and uncompromisingly. Preach it! Whatever the text says, don't hold back!

Fifthly, our joy will be full. There will be joy in the land. “Shout for joy, O heavens! And rejoice, O earth! Break forth into joyful shouting, O mountains! For the Lord has comforted His people.” This comfort is the soothing of the conscience and the clearing of the mind. It is the eradication of guilt, shame, and it’s freedom from sin’s dominion. It is reconciliation to God and the joy of His presence. It is communion in God’s love, love to my neighbor, and hope towards heaven. It is the greatest peace a human can experience, and it has power to alleviate all fear. Oh, how sweet it is to be back in God’s favor, enjoying the wonders of His goodness. Forgiveness and obedience are two powerful needs of every human, and God gives them when He comforts.

Teaching at this medical mission, I saw someone whose eyes the Lord opened and heard his prayer. I felt the thrill of the gospel and the power of the simple, clear, testimony of Christ, under the leadership of the Spirit. This man prayed with conviction of God’s love, which He has for Jacob, and He does not have for Esau. He thanked God for grace and for opening his eyes, and he expressed a hearty desire to love Him back. Once again, the heavens were opened and comfort came to the afflicted. Once again, we see that it is all of God and none of man. Once again, grace got the glory, God got the praise, and the believer went home happy!