Scripture

The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon, as lovely as Mount Carmel or the planes of Sharon. The Lord will display his glory, the splendour of our God.

Observation

God is bringing his refreshment. Even the deserts will be green and fertile. The Lord’s glory will be on display.

Encourage the weak, tired and fearful because God will come to destroy our enemies. He will heal the blind, the death and the lame.

There will be a highway through the land that only the righteous can travel on. It will only be for those who walk in God’s ways. The redeemed of the Lord will return with joy and singing. Sorrow and morning will disappear.

Application

God brings life to the desert and joy to his people.

This is not a far off reconstruction of the world when Jesus returns. It is right now.

Jesus takes the desert places of our lives – the addictions, the sins, the broken relationships – and He redeems them. He turns them into something beautiful.

So life comes to the desert. As we walk close to Jesus, we also bring life to other people. The greening of the desert places becomes contagious.

Isaiah talks about a highway of holiness that only the righteous people can travel on. When we come to Jesus, He takes away our sins. We need to then start living God’s ways, as holy people, in order to be the change agents, the healers of the desert.

Prayer

Lord, your ways are beyond our wildest dreams. You take broken people and heal us, and then use us to heal others. Thank you. Amen.