Sermon: Be Encouraged, Transformation Is Coming

Sermon: Be Encouraged, Transformation Is Coming

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10 (21st Century King James Version)

”The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon; they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God. Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; He will come and save you.” Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing; for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water; in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes. And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be for those; the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon; it shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”

Introduction: Isaiah 35 was likely composed during the late 8th century BC (c. 701 BC), amidst the Assyrian crisis when King Sennacherib threatened Jerusalem and ravaged the Judean countryside. The prophecy serves as a message of hope and restoration for a battered people, contrasting the devastation with promises of divine relief, homecoming, and an eventual, glorious future.

Isaiah 35 is a prophecy of hope and restoration, describing how God will transform desolate lands into lush oases, heal the physically and spiritually blind, deaf, and lame, and establish a "Highway of Holiness" for His redeemed people to return to Zion with everlasting joy, signifying the coming of God's salvation and kingdom. Isaiah fully understood Israel’s pilgrimage as God’s special people in a world gone wild. Yet He promises that there will be rest for the weary. In spiritual deserts, we wonder if God is with us or if He is simply a mirage. Yet Scripture shows us that no matter where God’s people find themselves—in battle or prison, in valley or wilderness—one thing is sure: God is faithful.

Here Isaiah gives a very wonderful description of the earthly pilgrimage to the other side. This joyful march of the saints sees beyond the present troubles and disappointment, beyond their rebellion and sin. The saints of God oftentimes find themselves despised, oppressed and mistreated by this world because of their sin and disobedience. There will come a time when the people of God shall receive God’s greatest blessings in the person of Jesus his son. Isaiah encourages us by saying, “Be strong, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; He will come and save you.” At a time when the world was in a mess, misery and strife everywhere, and no hope for a better tomorrow, God sent His Son to take away the sin of the world.

Every Spiritual blessing in heavenly places has been given to the believer in Christ Jesus, and through the church shall all men see the glory of God in the earth. Even though these things are hidden, Isaiah gives a glimpse of the glorious future of those who can find the way in a lost world. It is great encouragement to know that a way has been provided for us. In John 14:1-6, Jesus comforting his disciples, telling them not to be troubled but to trust in him. He promises to prepare a place for them in his Father’s house (heaven) and declares, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”. Isaiah further assures us by saying, “And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness.” Jesus is that way!

God has not deserted us in our lostness to suffer abuse, trials, and persecution with no end in sight. God hears our prayers, sees our struggles, and will come to our rescue. God knows how to execute vengeance on our enemies. Those who trust in God, at times may be weak and afraid. We can be assured that God will come and save us. What comfort and encouragement are these words of prophecy!