“Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert;” Isaiah 35:5-6 ESV
Reflection: what do you long for the most?
Have you noticed that, regardless of the blessings we experience in this life, they always fall a bit short of what we truly long for? Even the best of times, in nature, with family and friends, achieving or getting something you have worked hard for, or whatever great experience you can think of, the joy is always so very temporary. It is as if we can almost touch it, then it is gone again. The secular rock band Rolling Stones wrote one of their most famous songs describing this feeling, called “Satisfaction”, with the lyrics stating “I can’t get no satisfaction, I can’t get no satisfaction, ‘Cause I tried and I tried and I tried and I tried, I can’t get no, I can’t get no”.
Seems as if we are reminded from time to time that there has to be a better place prepared for us, where joy is not fleeting. But have you stopped to think about what that land would be like? What is it truly that you long for? Depending on our “lot in life”, what burdens we have to carry here as a result of this fallen world, we long to be set free. Free from lies and corruption, from greed, broken relationships, loneliness, poor health conditions, poverty, or just the ongoing struggle of basic living. There is a long list when you start thinking about it, the challenges most face in this life.
Isaiah chapter 35 outlines such a promised land, as we read “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.” Isaiah 35:1-2 ESV. And not only will the land be renewed by the presence of the Lord, but the inhabitants of the land will experience what we all long for deep down “Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.” Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; in the haunt of jackals, where they lie down, the grass shall become reeds and rushes.” Isaiah 35:3-7 ESV
So how do we get there, to this promised land? Isaiah wrote of a way that God himself would make, “And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.” Isaiah 35:8 ESV. And, although Isaiah never got to see the fulfillment of this vision, this prophecy, we are so fortunate that it has been revealed to us. It is Jesus. He said of Himself “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 ESV.
What is so interesting to think about is that Jesus didn’t just define the destination, the promised land, but actually the way to get there. That we can start to experience what we truly long for, even in this life. Where He, Himself, the Word who became flesh, is the actual Way. He defined it for us, so that we can follow Him. To eventually find this promised land, this eternal joy that we are created for. So let’s not get lost by the false promises of this world where we never will be fully satisfied.
