Gladness in the Wilderness?

“The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad;
the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus;
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.

“Strengthen the weak hands,
and make firm the feeble knees.
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.’

“Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
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;
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.

“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.
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.
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.” Isaiah 35:1-10

What hope-filled words the prophet spoke to a nation familiar with the wilderness, enemy lands and opposition, weakness and anxiety. They really could take heart? Isaiah seemed to understand their feebleness, their blindness to what was ahead, the silence of waiting for a word, the destitution of thirst and burning sand and being hunted, haunted. Could they take hope in this substantial promise of God’s coming, His recompense, His making all things right?

Few would choose a wilderness. We chafe at its hard scratch, bemoan its misery and fright, see it as punishment, or cause for complaint. Yet the certainty of Christ in the midst and as deliverer brings color to the most destitute situation and barren outlook. Against the backdrop of the desert His grace blooms, against the howl of the predator His song is heard. Are we looking? Listening?

What arid circumstances are depleting spiritual vitality? Have we given up on a way forward because we’re too focused on present misery, relational thirst, unfulfilled dreams, disappointments? Would we choose to hold to the bloom of God’s promises, commit them to heart and rejoice?

Whom do we know in a wilderness of soul, and how might we minister hope? In what specific ways will we pray for their mindset, or lead them- by listening or a gentle word- to the Highway of Holiness where they’re forever held, and secure? How can we lovingly point out the contrast and choice between sighing and singing? (John 10:28-29)

Lord, please turn any jadedness to joy, and keep me gladly sharing Your hope in every God-ordained wilderness, to Your glory.