the ‘Aravah will rejoice and blossom like the lily.
2 It will burst into flower,
will rejoice with joy and singing,
will be given the glory of the L’vanon,
the splendor of Karmel and the Sharon.
They will see the glory of Adonai,
the splendor of our God.
3 Strengthen your drooping arms,
and steady your tottering knees.
4 Say to the fainthearted, “Be strong and unafraid!
Here is your God; he will come with vengeance;
with God’s retribution he will come and save you.”
5 Then the eyes of the blind will be opened,
and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped;
6 then the lame man will leap like a deer,
and the mute person’s tongue will sing.
For in the desert, springs will burst forth,
streams of water in the ‘Aravah;
7 the sandy mirage will become a pool,
the thirsty ground springs of water.
The haunts where jackals lie down will become
a marsh filled with reeds and papyrus.
8 A highway will be there, a way,
called the Way of Holiness.
The unclean will not pass over it,
but it will be for those whom he guides —
fools will not stray along it.
9 No lion or other beast of prey
will be there, traveling on it.
They will not be found there,
but the redeemed will go there.
10 Those ransomed by Adonai will return
and come with singing to Tziyon,
on their heads will be everlasting joy.
They will acquire gladness and joy,
while sorrow and sighing will flee.
RG AUDIO 051115"God’s Renewal Will Come" by Author: Juanita Weir Nobles
During the time of the Dust Bowl in the central United States, there was no joy nor peace, no beauty, and no rest. People had to struggle daily just to get by. Destitution and need was the order of the day. God proved his goodness and mercy when He restored the land and people could again provide for their families.
Have you ever seen the desert after a cleansing rain? The water washes out the dry river beds and gullies, and flowers spring up where once only dryness, sand and desolation ruled. The beauty, though only for a short time, is profuse. In Isaiah 35, the beautiful desert scene that comes after rain is a picture of the beauty and peace that God gives when He restores His people.
The prophet Isaiah envisions, “Water will gush forth in the wilderness,” and “The burning sand will become a pool, and the thirsty ground bubbling springs” (Isaiah 35:6-7). God restores both His lands and His people when they return to Him with joy and praise. When the people return to God, the land flourishes.
Hymn for Today: "You Are The One I Want"
You bring restoration, You bring restoration, You bring restoration to my soul
You’ve taken my pain and You call me by a new name
You’ve taken my shame and in its place, You give me joy
You take my mourning, turn it into dancing
You take my weeping, turn it into laughing
You take my mourning, turn it into dancing
You take my sadness, turn it into joy
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, You make all things new
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