Day 207: Isaiah 35- Highway Home!

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; 2 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. 3 Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. 4 Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.”
 
5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; 6 then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; 7 the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; in the haunt of jackals, where they lie down, the grass shall become reeds and rushes. 8 And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray. 9 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.

10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
 
Meditation
Your desire for peace, stability, joy, and freedom reveal you are created for life beyond this world. CS Lewis wrote, “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world." Like a shaft of sunlight breaking through dark clouds, today’s reading reveals the hope of our hearts and the highway that takes us home.
 
The “highway of Holiness” is the path to the Holy One. Holiness in Isaiah is directly associated with the presence of the Holy One (6:3). The pilgrims on the path are redeemed (9) and ransomed (10), more liberated than the Israelites unfettered by the blood of the Passover lamb (Exodus 12). There will be a forever freedom for those of us in Isaiah’s far off future redeemed and ransomed by the blood of Jesus!
 
The highway Home takes us from wilderness to fruitfulness, deserts to blossoming terrain. In rejoicing and singing the redeemed pilgrims are strong in the Lord, free from anxiety (3-4). Pilgrim eyes see, ears hear, and hearts rejoice- We are home with the Holy One! Sorrow and struggle vanish with the presence of the Lord (10).

The highway to the Holy One is for pilgrims who believe the promises of God. We have “good courage” (2 Corinthians 5:1-19) as wandering exiles (1 Peter 1:1-2) who hold to Heavenly Hope. Free from judgment (Matthew 25:46) the redeemed and ransomed pilgrims are free to follow the Highway Home through Christ alone.
 
Richly Dwelling
-How do the longings of your heart reveal you are created for life beyond this world?
 
-Does your life reflect that of a pilgrim, one who travels on a highway with a greater destination in mind?
 
-Christ is the Holy One with us, a foretaste of Heaven in our lives today. How can you find your primary satisfaction in His love and work for you?
 
Key Verse
8 And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.