Life in the Desert - Where is Your Hope?

Life in the Desert

Isaiah 35:1-4 (NIV)  The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom;  it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God.  Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way;  say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you."

In Isaiah 34, Isaiah has pronounced judgment on Israel from God.  It is terrifying.  It is total.  It is complete.   Israel’s unfaithfulness to God has not gone unnoticed.   Now after repeated warnings, God is telling them what will happen.

But there is something interesting about judgment from God.   Whether it is for a nation or for one of His Children – through the judgment comes, there is always opportunity for repentance and restoration.  And that is what Isaiah 35 is about – Renewal; Restoration; Redemption; Hope.

Acknowledgement of Barren Times in Life

Why were they experiencing this barren time?   Israel had rebelled – God had judged them – repentance would come – after repentance came hope and then restoration.  Restoration can only come after repentance – a returning to God.

Proverbs 28:13 (NIV)  He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

The people found themselves in the desert, in the wasteland and in the wilderness because of their choices.  Their actions.  They had forgone God’s Blessing by chasing cheap imitations of what God was and what He offered.   And now, they suffered the consequences of their sin.

Isaiah 35:1b 0(NIV)  . Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom;

Why the crocus flower?  In most places the crocus flower starts blooming in spring.  However in Middle East – Israel – it blooms in the dead of winter.  “Small colorful splashes where life seems unlikely.”

The Contrast of Judgment and God’s Blessing

Wilderness – an open place where cattle are driven. – Once provided, but now no longer can.

Wasteland – barren, land of drought – Empty, desolate

Desert –A sterility – inability to give life.

with

Mountains of Lebanon – Mountains famous for excellent cedars – Majesty

Mount Carmel – Woody mountain – Beauty

Plain of Sharon – pleasant place of Pasture – Fertility

Display His Glory – the Splendor – His Power.  When God does this, people will give glory to God – not themselves or others.  The focus or attention will be on Him.  God will do this, not us.

What Do We Do With This Message?

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)  Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,  who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

What God has given you – you are to give to others.  We are to share this message of hope with others.

What we do:  Strengthen (the power to grasp and hold on); Encourage and Say

To Whom:  Those with tired hands; weak knees and fearful hearts.

Hebrews 12:12-13 (NIV)  Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.  "Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

What Message are we to Speak?  What Encouragement?  

Where to look for Hope, Deliverance and Restoration.

Isaiah 35:4  Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way;  say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you."

“Your God” – God will provide – not people – not yourself, but God.

Even in the midst of Judgment – There is Hope – God will come.

Even in the Wilderness, Desert, and Wasteland – There is Hope – God will come

Even when you are Exhausted, Feeble, Broken – There is Hope – God will come.