Today's Scripture:
Isaiah 35:3-10
Strengthen the feeble hands,
steady the knees that give way;
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.”
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
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.
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.
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.
No lion will be there,
nor any ravenous beast;
they will not be found there.
But only the redeemed will walk there,
and those the Lord has rescued will return.
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.
Read: Reflect on a story in your life that pertains to this scripture.
We love the prophets. They swam upstream and the faced the headwinds straight on. Isaiah is woven into the Messianic prophecies. King Hezekiah (YWHW strengthens) was mostly a fine king. He witnessed the downfall of the northern kingdom of Israel, He initiated reforms in Judah.
Reflect: What is this scripture telling you during this season?
In teaching the Book of Revelation in the past, it became apparent that for our God, time is past, present and future all at once. The northern kingdom was blessed with waters, the southern, not so much. Carol and I grew up in the desert in SoCal. Water is precious. In the desert, there shall be, "bubbling springs."
Respond: How is this scripture calling you to respond?
"Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away." Past, present and future!
About Mike Fry:
I was privileged to be the Caring Ministries Pastor at Grace for 16 years, plus two, part time. I still assist where I can. I am the Old Guy; I know the older people of Grace.
1999 to present