Isaiah 35:1-10 (NRSV)
Read Isaiah 35:1-10 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 35The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus Verse 2it 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. Verse 3Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Verse 4Say to those who are of a fearful heart, "Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you."
Verse 5Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; Verse 6then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; Verse 7the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp, the grass shall become reeds and rushes. Verse 8A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God's people; no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray. Verse 9No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. Verse 10And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Devotion
God will make the wrong things right. This is one way to explain to children what will happen when God's kingdom comes. Isaiah 35 describes a number of ways in which God will make the wrong things right. God has the power to make things right in all of creation. God has the power to overcome evil and make a clear path for God's people to walk in God's love and salvation. And God promises to do all of these things.
Jesus does many of the things listed in this passage. Jesus helps the blind to see and the deaf to hear. Jesus helps the lame to walk. In Jesus, God makes the wrong things right. We are invited to place our faith in Jesus, receive healing and forgiveness, and join God's work of making the wrong things right.
Prayer
Jesus, there are many wrong things in our world and in our lives that need to be made right. Transform us through our faith in you, and show us how to be part of your work in the world. Amen.