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“Sing praises to the Lord, for He has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth. Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 12:5–6).
Some days, our lives feel out of tune, out of touch with what we know we should be thankful for. Like there is a broken record of stress, chaos, disappointment, or confusion. Like a song that you can't help but sing off-key.
I remember one of the first times my wife and I worshiped together when we were dating; it was the moment she figured out I do not possess the natural gift of singing on key. She whispered to me, "Why are you singing like that?" In that moment I remember thinking, I can't help it; I don't really know how to naturally stay on the right key. I can't help but sound a little bit tuneless when I sing. Life is like that at times: despite our best attempts, we fail, flounder, and frustrate ourselves and others. At times we all fall out of rhythm with the life God intends for us to have in relationship with Him and others. Our sin, our broken world, and the devil's attacks all make it difficult to keep the rhythm and purpose of our life centered harmoniously on Christ.
But in those moments, when it becomes clear that perhaps we are just a little off-key — not just in our voices, but in our hearts — Isaiah 12 points us to a reminder of what we can do even in the brokenness: sing anyway. Isaiah 12 is a song placed in an unexpected spot. It comes after chapters filled with warning, judgment, fear, and uncertainty. Before the relief arrives, before everything is resolved, God gives His people a hymn to sing.
The first note of this song is trust, perhaps the hardest note when life is out of tune. Trust that the Lord, who comes to you, will continue to bring you the strength and the song to sing when life gets out of rhythm (Isaiah 12:2–3). When the Lord God is our strength and song, He becomes that well of salvation. That source of trust and assurance that salvation is the Lord's doing, not any human promise or prize (Psalm 118:8–9).
This week we celebrate National Lutheran Schools Week, and the theme this year — "Let's Make a Joyful Noise!" (Ps. 98:4) — gives us an especially meaningful reminder this Mindful Monday. Our K–8 School, ECC, and PDO programs don't exist in a bubble; the students, their families, and their circumstances are not free of the burdens and brokenness, hurt and heartache, sin and struggle of this world. But what is beautiful about having such ministries is that our students arrive day in and day out with questions, doubts, and sometimes even invisible burdens, but day in and day out they hear what is truly there for them: the love and life that God has for them. Despite circumstances and despite pain, they hear that in Christ they can sing anyway, singing a song of joy. They are given faithful reminders by the dedicated teachers, administrators, and all who make our school ministries possible, that the source of our joy is not easy or perfect circumstances, but God Himself.
The reason our song is a song of joy is not because life is easy — God tells us it won't always be so easy (John 16:33) — but because God is faithful. The Holy One of Israel is great in our midst. Christ has the victory. So today, whether in school, work, or home life — get in the Word and lift your voice. Remember to shout and sing for joy, even if it feels and sounds a little off-key. Rest in the true hope and joy of the song the Lord has for you. Trust Him, praise Him, and let your joy rise above the noise around you. No matter how imperfectly, how tearfully, or how messy it sounds, sing it anyway!
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