July 7

A Mountain Choir

Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; break forth in song, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted His people, and He will have compassion on His afflicted ones. — Isa 49:13 BSB

The comforts of the Lord are so sweet that not only His saints but even the heavens and the earth can join in the song. It takes something special to make a mountain sing, yet the prophet calls together a whole choir of mountains—Lebanon, Sirion, the high hills of Bashan and Moab—to sing of the Lord’s grace to Zion. Can we not also turn our mountains of difficulty, trial, and hardship into reasons to praise God? “Break forth into singing, O mountains!”

The promise that God will have mercy on His afflicted people rings out like the sound of church bells. Listen to the music—“Sing!” “Be joyful!” “Break forth into singing!” The Lord wants His people to be happy because of His unchanging love. He doesn’t want us to be sad or doubtful; He calls us to worship with hearts full of faith. He will not fail us, so why do we act as if He might? Oh, for hearts in tune with His goodness! Oh, for voices like the angels before the throne, praising His name!