“The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, 2 it will burst into bloom; 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. 3 Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; 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.”
5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. 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. 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.” Isaiah 35:1-7 NIV
God of Judah,
How incredible that spoke about his own generations and what was to come. Speaking about future invasions, telling them to be strong and not fearful because You, God would once more rescue them. And then spoke into the distant future. In Matthew Gospel we read that John the Baptist was having a bad day imprisoned by Herod. He needed some assurance that Jesus was the Messiah. Jesus did not say Yes I am, He sent his reply in the Quoting Isaiah.. One John would recognise and see was being fulfilled in Jesus. “The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” (Matthew 11:5).
How amazing. Scripture was fulfilled in Jesus and John knew his life had not been spent in vain. Sad that John was then executed but glorious that he knew he had fulfilled his calling even though his life was taken from him. How wonderful to see glimpses of Jesus in Isaiah yet again.
Isaiah’s message has glimpses of days yet to come when there will be gladness and joy. Amidst the judgements he had to give, Isaiah saw that You, God long to find ways to restore and bless us in abundance. Lord we look to You to keep us looking forward with joy and gladness and hope even when like Isaiah we see a troubled world around us.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Friday 25th July 2025
Henry the writer of these lyrics understood that we don’t always start worship feeling on top of the world and need lifting up into the light.
Joyful, joyful, we adore You,
God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flow’rs before You,
Op’ning to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day!
All Your works with joy surround You,
Earth and heav’n reflect Your rays,
Stars and angels sing around You,
Center of unbroken praise;
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
Flow’ry meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird and flowing fountain
Praising You eternally!
Always giving and forgiving,
Ever blessing, ever blest,
Well-spring of the joy of living,
Ocean-depth of happy rest!
Loving Father, Christ our Brother,
Let Your light upon us shine;
Teach us how to love each other,
Lift us to the joy divine.
Mortals, join the mighty chorus,
Which the morning stars began;
God’s own love is reigning o’er us,
Joining people hand in hand.
Ever singing, march we onward,
Victors in the midst of strife;
Joyful music leads us sunward
In the triumph song of life.
Lyrics: Henry Van Dyke