Joy of the Redeemed

Isaiah 35.1-10
The prophet Isaiah was talking about restoration.
Vs 1. *The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.
Like the crocus.*

Some of us may be in a desert. But when we accept the Lord in our lives, He allows us to blossom
*Vs 2 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.*
In the desert, the land is barren. The prophet Isaiah says that the desert will burst and blossom like the crocus. This is type of plant that blossoms after winter.
*Vs 3 Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way;
This has to do with both spiritual and physical strengthen. When we receive the Holy Spirit, He gives us the strength.*
The Holy spirit makes us strong and we are able to overcome the challenges in the walk of life.
*Vs 4. 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.”*

The Lord has not given us the spirit of fear. Fear is brought by the devil because God has given us the spirit of power, love and sound mind. 2 Timothy 1.7

The Lord will bring Devine justice to those who have been in the desert for very long.

Vs 5. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.

The prophet Isaiah was speaking about the miracles that would come with the coming of the Lord
Vs 6.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.
Once we have God in us, He comes and takes away our sorrows and troubles.

Vs 7. 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.

This is the drastic change that occurs when we receive Christ in our lives.

Vs. 8 And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it.

If you are unclean, you shall not enjoy the Highway of Holiness. You will not go astray when you are in the Lord.

*Vs 9. No lion will be there, nor any ravenous beast; they will not be found there.
But only the redeemed will walk there,*

In the Highway of Holiness, there will be no harm. The Holy spirit shields and protects us.

Vs 10. 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.

Even if you have been in the wilderness for a longtime, or barren ( not just physical barrenness) the Lord will redeem you. Let us pursue Holiness and righteousness and the Lord will help us.