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July 24th

The bible reading for today is in Isaiah chapters 35 & 36.

I was taught in my early years as a Christian to read and study the bible with first an eye toward how the passage related to the direct audience of the prophet or apostle speaking and writing. Then I could better apply it to myself and the church. That is what I am doing today.

Isaiah’s audience was Judah during the reign of Godly King Hezekiah. The big bully on the block was Assyria. They had already defeated and captured Syria and the northern kingdom of Israel as well as the countryside and fortified cities in Judah and Benjamin. Wherever they conquered, towns, cities, camps, fields, and orchards were burned and laid waste. It was truly a wasteland. Now Assyria was going in for the kill by surrounding Jerusalem.

Isaiah ‘s message was hard on some but full of hope for the believing. Great Egypt would not help. But God’s grace and mercy would save them.

There was death and great destruction already at the hands of the Assyrians. Judeans in Jerusalem were afraid and panicking. But Isaiah’s picture of the near future for the promised land people, for the faithful and the unfaithful, had to encourage them.

Let us listen...“The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; 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.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭35:1-2‬ ‭

God was going to bring great restoration. The wastelands will be glad again. The desert will rejoice and blossom again. The countryside and wilderness habitations will blossom abundantly and will rejoice in their hearts and upon their singing lips again. The glory of this land will return because the glory of the Lord will be present and will be seen.

Throughout my pastorates, people would ask why I spent so much time teaching on what happens to God’s kids when they die. My answer...Knowing what awaits me in heaven, being reminded of the fellowship of the saints in heaven, thinking on the glories of fellowship with my Savior, unhindered and undistracted devotion shared with God Almighty, knowing all of that, we believers can strap on our sword of the spirit and fearlessly get into the spiritual battle for the souls of men. And abound in the work of the Lord until He calls us home!

That is what Isaiah was doing for the frighten Judeans. Listen with me...“Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! “Behold, your God will come” with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭35:3-4‬ ‭

Wow, I’m pumped. Isaiah was not giving Judah vague optimism. He was giving them the certain promise of God their Savior. But Isaiah was not through...“Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert;”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭35:5-6‬ ‭

Wow, reminds me of my New Testament reading...“And Jesus answered those whom John the baptist sent, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:4-6‬ ‭

Jesus quoted Isaiah. I am that good news...I am that miraculous power to change your future...the blind will see...the deaf will hear..the lame shall leap...and the mute will sing.

Another Wow. Isaiah’s message would not only give hope to the anxious Judeans in their fight for life with Assyria, but his message could and must be seen as hope all the way to the coming and second coming of God our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Listen to the text...for Judah...then for us who are walking with Jesus today...“No roaring lion shall be there (sounds like a reference to satan to me), nor shall any ravenous beast come upon it; they shall not be found there, but the “redeemed” shall walk there. And the “ransomed” of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; with everlasting joy upon their lips....”

Sounds like heaven to me...

Have a great day.