Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10 (NRSV)
DEVOTIONAL:
Isaiah tells us to be a voice that strengthens the weak hands and the feeble knees, and which says to the fearful, “Be strong, do not fear!” It is the voice also heard in Isaiah 40, crying out in the wilderness, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”
How is it that a dry land can blossom abundantly? I don’t think it is a trick question; it needs water. Revelation 1 talks about the voice of the Son of Man being as the sound of many waters. It is this same voice that dwells within our hearts. Thus, rivers of living water burst forth from us as we cry out in the wilderness and in the desert. The dry lands rejoice when we speak, for it is as water to them.
When we say, “behold, your God will come” it is, “then” that eyes and ears are opened. As we strengthen the weak and encourage the fearful, we prepare the highway called the Holy Way. On this highway, the ransomed people of God return to Zion with singing and rejoicing.
I pray you may hear the voice of God this day. May it be as water to your spirit, that you also blossom abundantly.
Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10 (NRSV)
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus 2it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. 3Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. 4Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.”
5Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; 6then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; 7the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp, the grass shall become reeds and rushes. 8A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God’s people; no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray. 9No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. 10And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.