With joy you will draw water from the fountains of salvation

"On that day, you will say: I give you thanks, O LORD; though you have been angry with me, your anger has abated, and you have consoled me. God indeed is my salvation; I am confident and unafraid. For the LORD is my strength and my might, and he has been my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the fountains of salvation. And you will say on that day: give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name; Among the nations make known his deeds, proclaim how exalted is his name. Sing praise to the LORD for he has done glorious things; let this be known throughout all the earth. .Shout with exultation, City of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel!" (Isaiah 12: 1-6)

This is one of my earliest PL scriptures. It was given to me in 1995 by a man of God. He said to me, “I was inspired to give you this scripture.” At the time, I was not familiar with the idea that certain scriptures represent word of knowledge for the individual. Wnen I read Isaiah 12, liked the message and appropriated it. The fact that in 2011 I still remember this word of knowledge is a sign to me that this scripture has a particular significance for my life.

What I like most about Isaiah 12 is verse 3 which promises that “With joy you will draw water from the fountains of salvation”

What are the fountains of salvation for me?

The Holy Spirit
The Eucharist
The Blessed Sacrament

I draw water from these fountains on a daily basis. These are by no means the only fountains I have direct and constant access to. I also draw water from the fountains of:

Prayer
Word of God
Penance
Examen
Ministry
Spiritual Reading

I wonder whether this is why the promise alludes to “fountains of salvation” and not just “fountain of salvation.” There are many fountains but there is also a hierarchy of fountains. In Ephesians 6, St. Paul talks of putting on the full armor. The warfare we are engaged in is not with flesh and blood. We contend with evil and powerful spirits. If you are not fully armored, you will fall even before the battle gets under way. So, if the Lord offers me to drink from the “fountains of salvation,” that is exactly what I do.

Forget not all His gifts

"Bless the LORD, my soul; and do not forget all his gifts, Who pardons all your sins, and heals all your ills, Who redeems your life from the pit, a and crowns you with mercy and compassion, Who fills your days with good things, so your youth is renewed like the eagle’s." (Psalm 103: 2-5)

O My God, how can I forget all your gifts?  Every day I thank you that the Holy Spirit reminds me constantly of these gifts.  Your favors are always before my eyes.  I remembered the years when I was laid low by sickness.  You stretched out your hand and healed me.  Not only did you heal me but you gave me your Son Jesus as my Doctor.  I will never exchange Him for all the world’s best doctors.  Father, what I cherish continually about your gift of health is this:  You removed the fear of sickness from me.  Thank you for these gifts Holy Father.

Generous Father, your favors extended to all areas of my life.  When I was thrown into the pit by my former company, laid low by sickness and reduced to abject poverty, you redeemed my life from the pit.  You threw open the door of the Enterprise for me and crowned me with mercy and compassion and fill my days with good things.

Ya, you have renewed my youth and purpose like the eagle’s.  For all these benefits dear Father, I will continually sing your praises. Amen!

The gift and the call

"In your love you led the people you redeemed; in your strength you guided them to your holy dwelling." (Exodus 15: 13)

This is one of the PL scriptures. The message to me is clear. God redeemed me from the harsh slavery in Egypt. In His almighty and powerful providence, he led and guided me to the Sanctuary. Praise be God.

"For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable." (Romans 11: 29)

You are my only good

"Keep me safe, O God; in you I take refuge. I say to the LORD, you are my Lord, you are my only good. As for the holy ones who are in the land, they are noble, in whom is all my delight. They multiply their sorrows who court other gods. Blood libations to them I will not pour out, nor will I take their names upon my lips. LORD, my allotted portion and my cup, you have made my destiny secure. Pleasant places were measured out for me; fair to me indeed is my inheritance. I bless the LORD who counsels me; even at night my heart exhorts me. I keep the LORD always before me; with him at my right hand, I shall never be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, my soul rejoices; my body also dwells secure, For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor let your devout one see the pit. You will show me the path to life, abounding joy in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever"

This is one of my favorite Psalms. Below are some of my favorite phrases in this Psalm:

• You are my Lord.
• You are my only good.
• They multiply their sorrows who court other gods.
• Nor will I take their names upon my lips.
• Lord, my allotted portion and my cup.
• You have made my destiny secure.
• Pleasant places were measured out for me.
• Fair to me indeed is my inheritance.
• I bless the Lord who counsels me.
• Even at night my heart exhorts me.
• I keep the Lord always before me.
• With the Lord at my right hand, I shall never be shaken.
• You will show me the path to life, abounding joy in your presence.

Psalm 16 is a very special Psalm filled with sweet promises.