Scripture Reading(s)
Isaiah 35:1-10
35:1 The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus
35:2 it 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.
35:3 Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.
35:4 Say 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.”
35:5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
35:6 then 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;
35:7 the 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.
35:8 A 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.
35:9 No 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.
35:10 And 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.
Reflections
When Jesus was met with questions by John the Baptist about whether or not he was messiah Jesus partially quoted Isaiah 35.
Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. (Matthew 11:4-5)
People sometimes forget that the prophetic vision for the messiah was more than just a dominant leader, he would also be of the people. He would seek the lost and the lame. He would sit with tax collectors and sinner. He would not serve the interests of the religious leaders and the elite of society.
At times we can all feel like the Lord is not paying attention to us or that He is indifferent to our suffering. In fact, Jesus came especially for those who are suffering. He came specifically for the oppressed and the poor. He is listening and He has a plan for each and every life no matter what the situation.
Whenever we are faced with a hard circumstance, it is sometimes easy to forgot who God is and the power He holds over our lives. This passage speaks to God’s great capacity to control the worlds events and at the same time have a deep personal relationship with us.
God sees us when we are at weakest moments. He understands our struggles and hears our cries of help when we come to Him. He is a God who loves and cares deeply for His children and based on that truth our faith should stand firm and unwavering.
I am often guilty of loosing sigh of God’s control in my own life when faced with a hard circumstance. This passage is a reminder that I am not the “lord” over my life, God is. He has outlined every single day, minute and second of our lives and nothing that happens is by chance. As the creator of our hearts and minds we need to trust Him and remember who is the true God and who can give us the strength we need to face each and every day.