Return to Paradise

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Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-4 (NLT)

1 Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days.

The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses.

2 Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers

and singing and joy!

The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon,

as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon.

There the Lord will display his glory,

the splendor of our God.

3 With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands,

and encourage those who have weak knees.

4 Say to those with fearful hearts,

“Be strong, and do not fear,

for your God is coming to destroy your enemies.

He is coming to save you.”

 

Devotion:

           

            Isaiah here speaks hope to oppressed people. Israel was in captivity in Babylon. The prophet has in the chapters before this predicted all the hardships and suffering Israel would suffer at the hands of their captors. He now begins to let the people know that they would not suffer forever because their God was coming to lead them out of captivity and into a glorious future. As much as the prophet brings hope to God’s people who originally heard these words, so the prophet speaks to us in our time.

           

            During this season of advent, we have many problems in our world. Even as we live in relative peace and freedom there is still much that is not right with our world. Each of us could name a dozen things that worry us about the world in which we live. We each wait for God to come to us and save us from our problems.

           

            These words from the prophet ought to comfort us and give us hope as we wait for the return of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. We have every right to claim the words of the 35th chapter of Isaiah for ourselves. A promise that will surely be fulfilled with the return of Jesus in all his glory. Then no enemy of ours that will trouble us when at last our wait for Christ’s return is over.

 

            Even in this advent season we should be encouraged by these words. God has not abandoned us. As the Christ child arrives this year we should rejoice in his coming even as we hope for his return at the end of the age. Jesus comes from heaven to inhabit earth once again. First, in our hearts, then in physical  reality. Let us praise his name.

 

Prayer:

 

            Lord let us wait for you with expectant hearts. Jesus teach us to be patient as we wait for you. O God, put into our minds the knowledge of your plan of salvation. Heavenly Father, help us see in these words from your prophet a great promise for our future. Just as you rescued your people Israel from captivity all those millennia ago, even so will you rescue us today. Amen.

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