Dave's Diary

Daily Reading: Isaiah 35

In context, Isaiah 35 was a message of hope to God’s people in exile in Babylon. Into their state of weakness, fear and despair, God spoke His word of promise and hope: “Be strong! Do not fear! I am coming to save you!” And then He gave them the wondrous poetic imagery of the outcome of His saving presence:

⁵ Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
    and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
⁶ Then will the lame leap like a deer,
    and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness
    and streams in the desert.

When John the Baptist expressed his doubts to Jesus in Matthew 11 (see Monday’s devotion) Jesus highlighted particular aspects of His ministry as signs that He was indeed the Messiah. Reading Isaiah 35, we can clearly see that Jesus was pointing out to John that His ministry was a fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. For those with eyes to see it, Jesus’ ministry was more than a sign of His messiahship. It was a sign of His divinity. God Himself drew near to us in Jesus to save His people from the devastating consequences of sin.

On the one hand this is great news for us in our own times of despair. In such moments we are invited to cry out to Jesus, knowing that He is with us and has promised to minister His hope and His strength to us.

On the other hand, it is an invitation to be the hands and voice of Jesus to others in their times of despair. Let us be the ones to speak hope and courage into the hearts of others in their seasons of fear and despair. And let us come alongside others in the Name of Jesus to offer a helping hand, a listening ear, and fervent, faith-filled prayer. And let’s remain faithful in being the hands and voice of Jesus to them until the moment gladness and joy overtakes them, and sorrow and sighing flees away (v.10).

Lord Jesus, use me as Your hands and voice today. Amen.