Isaiah thirty-five is a passage full of rich treasures. Hawker says, \u2018This chapter is as full of blessed promises to God\u2019s church, as the former was full of threatenings to God\u2019s enemies\u2019. The prophet lifts his hearers\u2019 gaze from the wrath of God with its razor sharp judgment to the salvation of God with its blessings of grace. Isaiah lightens his message and softens the vision with encouragements for renewal, refreshment and peace. He plants the promise of spiritual fruitfulness, cultivates the prospect of holy worship and flourishing service, sweetens the air with the fragrance of praise as roses bloom in a desert breeze.<\/p>\n
God will come and save you<\/b><\/p>\n
The chapter is a prediction of the glory and blessedness of the Gospel church, and of the mercies supplied by the Lord Jesus Christ. The Messiah\u2019s kingdom and Christ\u2019s victories are manifested in Christ both subduing His enemies and nurturing His church. The weak, feeble and fearful people of God, long tried and tested under the heel of oppressors, are promised deliverance and salvation. When Isaiah tells us \u2018God \u2026 will come and save you\u2019 we understand the Lord Jesus coming both to redeem us from our sin and fit us for His presence.<\/p>\n
A message for the ages<\/b><\/p>\n
Gospel preachers in Isaiah\u2019s mould repeat the gospel message of hope and confidence to God\u2019s elect in every age. When Christ comes \u2018the eyes of the blind shall be opened\u2019. When grace is preached \u2018the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped\u2019. When the Spirit moves in quickening power \u2018then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing\u2019 praises to the Lord. Such spiritual transformation excels the flowering of a desert. Hard, dry, barren and infertile hearts are ploughed, sown, watered and tended under gospel ministry. What once was the habitation of dragons is greened with reeds and rushes and made fit for saints.<\/p>\n
Pools in the desert<\/b><\/p>\n
We often become concerned for the state of the church, the dangers we perceive and the wickedness of the world around us. We wonder if the gospel of free grace is going to survive and if the preaching of God\u2019s sovereignty in salvation will continue. Let us not be afraid. The Lord makes dry ground become a pool in the desert. He brings forth springs of water in a thirsty land. He will raise up gospel preachers wherever He has elect to be gathered and little ones to feed. Every chosen child of God will hear the message that transforms souls.<\/p>\n
A highway of holiness<\/b><\/p>\n
A road is revealed, a highway of holiness. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Way. He supplies every necessary mercy for needy sinners, every grace for troubled souls, every assistance in the believer\u2019s journey to glory. These blessings are not primarily material but spiritual, blessings revealed in the gospel such as imputed righteousness, complete pardon, wisdom, redemption, liberty, holiness and peace. Not all blessings come equally at all times but as we hear the gospel, attend to the word of truth and deepen our experience of the Saviour then all these things will be added, blessing upon blessing, grace for grace.<\/p>\n
Fools shall not err<\/b><\/p>\n
This highway cannot be mistaken. It is exclusive to the elect of God and not one of these wayfaring travellers will err in finding it. Here the redeemed and the ransomed of the Lord travel with confidence. The unclean do not pass by this way. Nor can lions or ravenous beasts hinder the Lord\u2019s little flock. The true church travels with holiness of heart and the song of redemption on their lips, anticipating everlasting joy. Zion\u2019s pilgrims and only Zion\u2019s pilgrims populate the paths of grace.<\/p>\n
A highway of high praises<\/b><\/p>\n
Let us take up these positive, praiseworthy themes as God\u2019s elect who have been taught not to err from the truth but to \u2018rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say, Rejoice\u2019. We sing the song of the redeemed in our soul. We sing in times of trouble. We sing as we cross the threshold of death and enter Christ\u2019s heavenly courts. Just like the Old Testament pilgrims who travelled to Zion to worship we have every right and justification to sing songs of praise, worship and thanksgiving to our Saviour as we ascend into His presence.<\/p>\n
Amen<\/p>\n