Isaiah 35:1-10
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 are of a fearful heart,
“Be strong, do not fear!
Here is your God.
He will come with vengeance,
with terrible recompense.
He will come and save you.”
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
then the lame shall leap like a deer,
and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness,
and streams in the desert;
the burning sand shall become a pool,
and the thirsty ground springs of water;
the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp,
the grass shall become reeds and rushes.
A highway shall be there,
and it shall be called the Holy Way;
the unclean shall not travel on it,
but it shall be for God’s people;
no traveler, not even fools, shall 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 joy and gladness,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
• The book of Isaiah frequently uses the metaphor of flowers and streams appearing in deserts and dry lands. It is a sign of God’s work among those who feel “dry,” “barren,” or “arid of spirit.” Reflect on your own desert experience of feeling dry and barren (perhaps you are in that place right now). Find ten or twelve words that you would use to describe the experience. As you sit with that experience, be conscious of God’s voice whispering into your heart.
• As you continue to ponder your own desert experience, what “flowers” grew within you during that dry spell? What was the source of that metaphorical “flower”?
• Advent is not merely a time for you and me to receive. Isaiah also prompts us to offer ourselves to others in life-giving ways: Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God.” Carry these words with you today. Be alert to the weak you meet, who need to be strengthened . . . to the feeble who need your assistance . . . to those who are fearful and need a word of courage and hope.
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