Isaiah 35: 1-10
The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God.
Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.”
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.
And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it. No lion will be there, nor will any ferocious beast get up on it; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, and the ransomed of the Lord will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
A Thought
Through Isaiah God speaks to his people Israel about his future judgements on the nations and how he will restore the land and his redeemed people will be healed when the kingdom of God rules the earth in righteousness. Those who choose to follow God will journey on the highway called the Way of Holiness where there will be nothing unclean or wicked. Only the ransomed of the Lord will be able to enter the Kingdom of God in Zion. They will come with rejoicing and singing and all sorrow and sighing will flee away.
Our Prayer
Father your word teaches us that your judgement will come upon all the earth and all sin and sorrows will be done away. Thank you that we can receive a righteous judgement because our penalty of sin was paid by the shed blood of your son, Christ Jesus. Help us to walk every day in your Way of Holiness with rejoicing and singing praises to you. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in each of us. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
