In Isaiah 35, God has given us a beautiful picture of our life on this earth. We see the wilderness through which we travel, many blessings along the way and the highway He has provided to take us to Zion.
The setting is in a wilderness...a dry, parched land. We often find ourselves in such a place in life. It can be very difficult and discouraging at times.
But there is much beauty to be seen, even in this wilderness place. The word describes flowers in abundance, springs of clear water gushing forth forming refreshing streams in the desert.
God knows that even with the blessings of beauty all around us, we still become weak and fearful with discouragement, so there is the cry: 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.”
And then the assurance of "highway". Because there is a highway, we know that we will not have to live forever in a wilderness place. A highway exists so that we might easily travel to a destination.
This highway is for the redeemed people of God and only they will walk on it. It is safe...no wild beasts will be on it. It is sure for not even a fool will get lost on the way. And it will bring us, with joy, to that glorious city of Zion.
In Hebrews 11, I read of a people who have not found what they are looking for on this earth. They are looking for a better country...a heavenly one. They have recognized this place as a wilderness to get through. And the promise is, God has prepared for them a city. It is the city of Zion.
What is Zion?
Psalm 132:13 "For the Lord has chosen Zion, he has desired it for his dwelling..."
Zion is where God has prepared to live with His people. It is a place of beauty and peace. I encourage you to do a study of Zion to appreciate the glorious destination to which we are headed.
Isaiah 35:10 " And those the Lord has rescued will return.
They will enter Zion with singing;
everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Gladness and joy will overtake them,
and sorrow and sighing will flee away."
Read the entire chapter of Isaiah 35 and ask the Holy Spirit to open your spiritual eyes to see the whole picture. Some years ago, as I read this passage and meditated on it, it seemed as if the Lord put a panoramic view on the wall of the room where I was seated. It's a beautiful picture.
Note: To do a study on a word, go to BibleGateway.com and enter the word, Zion. It will display every scripture verse with the word.
The setting is in a wilderness...a dry, parched land. We often find ourselves in such a place in life. It can be very difficult and discouraging at times.
But there is much beauty to be seen, even in this wilderness place. The word describes flowers in abundance, springs of clear water gushing forth forming refreshing streams in the desert.
God knows that even with the blessings of beauty all around us, we still become weak and fearful with discouragement, so there is the cry: 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.”
And then the assurance of "highway". Because there is a highway, we know that we will not have to live forever in a wilderness place. A highway exists so that we might easily travel to a destination.
This highway is for the redeemed people of God and only they will walk on it. It is safe...no wild beasts will be on it. It is sure for not even a fool will get lost on the way. And it will bring us, with joy, to that glorious city of Zion.
In Hebrews 11, I read of a people who have not found what they are looking for on this earth. They are looking for a better country...a heavenly one. They have recognized this place as a wilderness to get through. And the promise is, God has prepared for them a city. It is the city of Zion.
What is Zion?
Psalm 132:13 "For the Lord has chosen Zion, he has desired it for his dwelling..."
Zion is where God has prepared to live with His people. It is a place of beauty and peace. I encourage you to do a study of Zion to appreciate the glorious destination to which we are headed.
Isaiah 35:10 " And those the Lord has rescued will return.
They will enter Zion with singing;
everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Gladness and joy will overtake them,
and sorrow and sighing will flee away."
Read the entire chapter of Isaiah 35 and ask the Holy Spirit to open your spiritual eyes to see the whole picture. Some years ago, as I read this passage and meditated on it, it seemed as if the Lord put a panoramic view on the wall of the room where I was seated. It's a beautiful picture.
Note: To do a study on a word, go to BibleGateway.com and enter the word, Zion. It will display every scripture verse with the word.