Desert Blossoms
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 35:1-4
Isaiah often uses word pictures that cause us to see our future hope through the promise of a renewed earth. Here, in this text, he says, “the wilderness and dry land will be glad,” and “the desert shall rejoice and blossom…it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing…”
He imagines the most barren place on earth becoming a place of beauty and abundance. It personifies the wilderness and desert and pictures them as a spontaneous “flash mob” of praise to God.
I don’t think this is metaphorical. The earth will be renewed. The lion and lamb will dwell together in peace. God is not going to allow His good creation to languish under the curse forever. Even as the sons of God are redeemed, so shall the earth and all that is in it. (For example, see Romans 8).
For the immediate application of this prophetic proclamation, Isaiah encourages us to “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.”
So, if you are worried…Be strong. Fear not. He will come and save you.
