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Journey to Bethlehem Day 15

Sunday, December 15 Isaiah 35:1-4



1 The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad;
the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus;
2 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.
3 Strengthen the weak hands,
and make firm the feeble knees.
4 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.”


Don’t like the ways things are? Neither does God. So, take heart. Someday, in the twinkling of an eye (1 Corinthians 15:52), it will all change. Isaiah peered into the future and saw that. But he lacked language to describe what he saw. So, he put it in terms people might understand.
Flowers will bloom, even where there is no water.
The creation will rejoice and sing.
Fear will go away.
God will save the weak and infirm.
Sand will melt into a pool of water.
Danger will be absent.
God’s people will sing with joy.
Sounds good, don’t you think? But Isaiah had even better news than that. He said, “They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God.” (Isaiah 35:2) In other words, on that day, we will see God.
We will see God. What might that be like? Honestly, words fail me. God is more than I can describe or imagine. Perhaps it is better to rely on another. Here are some hymn lyrics written by Walter Chalmers Smith. Reflect on these and you will have a better idea of what it will be like to see God.


Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.
Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might;
Thy justice, like mountains, high soaring above
Thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.
Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;
All praise we would render; O help us to see
Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee!