The Joy of the Redeemed

Ever get tired of the rat race we live in? Maybe it’s the job that you feel is at a dead end.

Maybe it’s a family situation, that you have been working on for some time. Whatever you do it just doesn’t get any better.

Or maybe it’s the physical problems you are experiencing in your life. The doctors report that indicates some problems that need to be taken care of.

This world gives us bad news everyday.

From newspapers, web-mail, tv, radio, even our friends and family. We just can’t escape it.

Or can we…

About ten years ago Isaiah 35 was introduced to me in a very special way by a very special friend. It talks about the Joy of the Redeemed! When I feel the problems of this world caving in I look to these verses:

Isaiah 35

The desert and the parched land will be glad;
the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.
Like the crocus, 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.
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.
The unclean will not journey on it;
it will be for those who walk in that Way;
wicked fools will not go about on it.
No lion will be there,
nor will any ferocious beast get up on it;
they will not be found there.
But only the redeemed will walk there,
and the ransomed of the LORD 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.

I long for that place.

I long for that special place of rest.

You still can experience the Joy of the Redeemed!