TEXTS AND APPLICATION: Chapter 35 pictures the return of God’s remnant to Zion in a time of great rejoicing. That time will be marked by singing:
Isa. 35:1-2 The wilderness and the dry land will be glad; the desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose. It will blossom abundantly and will also rejoice with joy and singing.
Isa. 35:6 Then the lame will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will sing for joy . . .
Isa. 35:10a and the redeemed of the Lord will return and come to Zion with singing, crowned with unending joy.
Singing. A lot of it. Nature singing as all creation praises the Creator. The mute singing as the Healer displays His power. God’s people, the pilgrims, singing in unison as they journey home. It’s as if the redeemed erupt in melody as nature joins in harmony. I can just imagine the sound.
Some years ago as a young believer on my first trip to Israel, I listened in awe while a busload of believers sang, “We’re Marching to Zion” as we approached the city of Jerusalem. Not all the folks could sing well, but all had a reason to sing. Redeemed people do have a reason, you know, both in the present and in the future. When we sing, “sorrow and sighing will flee” (Isa. 35:10b).
PRAYER: Even if our singing today is only a foreshadowing of the singing of eternity, nothing sounds quite like the redeemed praising the Redeemer. Thank God today for your song, and then sing of Him all day long.
TOMORROW’S READING: Isaiah 37-39: Psalm 76
