Mark's Blog

Reading: Isaiah 35:1-10

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.

Strengthen the weak hands,
and make firm the feeble knees.
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.’

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
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;
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.

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.
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.
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

If you are looking for spiritual compliments, then you are in the wrong text today. If you find comfort in encouragement, if you need to be told that you are doing good, if you need a trophy to mark your participation, read a different chapter.

However, if you feel scorched like a desert or completely empty and barren like a wilderness, if you feel like you once were something—but now you are nothing, keep reading. If you thought you were strong, but have discovered you are feeble; if you once were brave, but too many battles have made you afraid, then keep reading.

This word is for the blind, the lame, the mute, not for the spiritual superstars—or those who think they are.

And hear is the word of the Lord:  HE IS COMING!

When He comes, the blind will see, the lame will leap, the deaf will hear, the mute will shout!  Water will gush in the desert, streams will flow in the wilderness! LIFE will appear where death seemed to reign.

And remember the road construction we were talking about a few days ago (http://wp.me/pO3kT-cc), well, today we find out more about that road. It is a highway—the Holy Way! And only God’s People can travel on it! Everyone is going in the same direction; everyone has the same destination; and everyone knows that they will get there, so there is no competition or jealousy or power struggles, or road rage!

And not even fools can get lost! I love that line because I can get lost anywhere. Navigation systems in rental cars have saved my marriage! I drive by feeling my way along—a very manly way to drive, and Sherrylee follows maps—so terribly rational.  I have been lost in many great cities of the world and have been too proud to even know it!  I’m so glad that not even fools can get lost!

The Coming means that I’m going to make it—not eventually through my own maudlin meanderings, but I will arrive with the whole crowd of the ransomed, led by Him Who Comes, singing the song of everlasting joy!

Come, Lord Jesus!