Instruction
Scripture: Isaiah35:4-7a
These verses are part of a prophecy of hope. Many of
Isaiah’s prophecies up to this point have declared God’s judgement on His
people because of their unfaithfulness to Him. At last God speaks words of
comfort and hope through His prophet declaring that He will come and save them.
The marks of this coming and salvation are in miracles of healing and renewal.
This passage points us ahead to Jesus’ coming and ministry, and encourages the
hearer to anticipate God’s salvation in the midst of their troubles and sinful
deadness.
Teaching
This is a passage of pure gospel for God’s people. It lifts
the eyes of the believer away from herself and on to God to find encouragement
and hope. This is especially important as Isaiah often confronted the people
with their sins. God wants to be very assuring: the consequences of sin are
hard, but He will not abandon His people; not only that, but He will heal them.
One of the great promises in this passage is that the eyes
of blind shall be opened. Nowhere in the Old Testament is there record of a
blind person receiving sight. When Jesus heals the blind it is one of the signs
that He fulfills God’s promise to come and save His people.
Life
It is easy to become discouraged in this world. The news is
often doom and gloom. We see bad things happening and we wonder why. If that
were not enough, God’s people often experience (rightly!) guilt and shame when
we consider our sins. God’s Word speaks to us in such a way as to say, “I know
your sin. I know your guilt. Take courage! I have rescued you, and I will come
and restore you to the glory I intended for you from creation.”
Prayer
This prayer is written
in the themes of Instruction, Thanksgiving, and Confession.
O God, You call us to strengthen those who are weak, feeble,
and anxious because of their sin. Your Word to us is that You will defeat our
enemies, save us, and heal us. We certainly are like the parched desert without
Your gracious mercy, but now You have made streams run in the desert and
brought life to us! We hear Your Word and we break forth in songs of joy, for You
come and save us.
Thank You for this beautiful description of your salvation.
Thank You for sending those who speak the words that strengthen us and keep us
firm in faith. Thank You for taking vengeance on our enemies by rescuing us
from the harm they do – especially those enemies that would lead us into sin.
Thank You for opening eyes and unstopping ears so that we might perceive Your
salvation. Thank You for the joy that leads us to leap and sing praises to You.
Thank You for giving us life where once there was death.
We confess, O Lord, that we sometimes resist the good Word
that would strengthen us, and we avoid hearing Your message that would make us
strong and drive out our fear. Forgive us for living as though we were still
blind and deaf; as though we never received Your Word. Forgive us for our
shallow joy and praise. Forgive us for looking more like a spiritual desert
than like a life-filled oasis. Come and save us at last and bring us to the
glorious paradise You have promised us in Christ. Amen.
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