Isaiah 35 is a beautiful Messianic chapter with applications that are multifaceted. While some of it may have application to present day Israel, and it may apply to the future Messianic reign, there is also application to the present Messianic reign which is in the hearts and lives of the church of the redeemed, those of whom Revelation 5:9 says You “have redeemed us to God by Your blood …” The disciples were looking for the earthly kingdom, but Jesus taught them that first there is a spiritual kingdom (the natural earthly kingdom would be manifested later). Jesus said, “For the kingdom of God is within you” (in you as an individual or as the marginal reading says “in your midst” which would be collectively) Luke 17:21. So the present kingdom of God takes a heart, a life, that has been like a wilderness wasteland, a dry desert terrain that is barren and not able to produce any quality fruit, nothing to joy and rejoice about; but when the King is invited in He brings the kingdom with Him turning that former barren terrain into a land that brings rejoicing and blossoms forth in beauty. Psalm 149:4 nails it saying, “He will beatify the humble with salvation.” The sounds of joy and singing will come forth, and the glory and excellence of Lebanon, Carmel, and Sharon, which were the beauty places of Israel, will overtake that life, those lives, and the glory and excellency of the Lord our God will be seen (see Isaiah 35:1-2); and from here we then move on into the blissfulness of the rest of the chapter. Have you invited the King into your heart and life? If not will you do so today?
Joyful living
-By Rose Hill
Those who want joy everlasting to flow,
The path to holiness is the way they will go.
They will bring songs and praise to their King,
About His great deliverance they will sing.
Their sorrow and sighing will flee away,
As they continue to praise Him day after day.
Scripture quotations are form the New King James Version copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Co. used by permission.