Text: Isaiah 35:1-10, Isaiah 36:1-22, Hebrews 12:14, Revelation 21:4
I lead a women’s Bible study at The Next Door, a faith-based residential addiction recovery program. When visiting, I always bring dark chocolate (which, admittedly, is self-serving), and some small amenity they don’t have easy access to, like good shampoo or soft socks. Just a little treat to remind them someone’s pulling for them while they’re fighting the toughest battle of their lives.
So when I went to Ireland a few years ago, I picked up a some small souvenirs for my Next Door friends: some fancy European chocolate, miniature Celtic crosses, and cheesy leprechaun keychains. I also kept a few euros, assuming they might enjoy seeing the difference between European money and American money.
But when I got back home I thought twice about bringing them the euros. I wondered if giving them foreign coins might come across as condescending since that’s usually the type of trinket you give a child. Or if it would rub salt in their wounds, since most of them are on parole because of past felonies and are very limited when it comes to traveling within the US, much less internationally. In the end, I decided to leave the coins in my bag and thought, “I’ll just play it by ear when I get there.”
Of course my gracious friends were overtly appreciative of everything—they ate the chocolate, clasped the crosses to their chests, and carefully divided the euros among themselves, proclaiming the coins to be “really cool.” Then we put the treats aside so we could dive into a story about Jesus together. I didn’t give the Irish booty another thought until I got home later that night and received this exact text from one of “my girls” named Sheri:
one of the things i feel the worst about was when i stole my dads rare coin collection so i could get high. But with no gift for father’s day yet i now have the best gift i could give him, a new rare and cool coin! That’s how Jesus works! thanks lisa
During my next visit, Sherri explained how deeply ashamed she’d been of stealing from her father because unlike almost everyone else in her life, he’d never given up on her. She’d worried about what—if anything—she could get him for Father’s Day because she didn’t have much money. Then she beamed at me and said, “But then you showed up and gave me that rare and precious coin which is the perfect Father’s Day gift. I can’t wait to give it to him on Sunday!”
Left speechless and close to collapsing into a blubbering heap, I handed her a small velvet bag containing every single foreign coin I’d dug out of my dresser after receiving her text, and said, “Why don’t you give him these, too?”
I’m continually amazed by how redemptive our Redeemer is, lavishly covering our mistakes with the cape of His mercy, faithfully promising us a glorious future that will not be limited or defined or tarnished by the past. This is the resounding theme in today’s reading:
“‘Be strong; do not fear! Here is your God… he will save you.’ Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then the lame will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will sing for joy, for water will gush in the wilderness, and streams in the desert…”
– Isaiah 35:4-6
Just as God proved Himself faithful to rescue and restore our ancestors, the theocracy of Israel and King Hezekiah, so will He always prove Himself faithful to us. He will bring us to our forever home.
However dry and parched your emotional landscape may feel this season, don’t despair. Because when the rain of God’s reign inevitably falls, your life will bloom.
Lisa Harper is a master storyteller with a masters of Theological Studies from Covenant Seminary. She’s lauded as an engaging, hilarious communicator as well as an authentic and substantive Bible teacher. She’s been in vocational ministry for 30 years and has written 15 books and Bible study curriculums but says her greatest accomplishment by far is that of becoming Missy’s (her adopted daughter from Haiti) mama! They live on a hilly farmette south of Nashville, Tennessee, where they enjoy eating copious amounts of chips, queso, and guacamole.
I loved Isaiah 35:8: “… it shall belong to those who walk on the Way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.” So grateful for glimpses of grace – even in the midst of all of the pain and destruction. And for a God who is faithfully calling, redeeming, and providing the Way – even in the midst of my foolishness.
Yes Kristen! I love this scripture as well. Even if they are fools they shall not go astray…Isaiah 35.8. Girlfriend in Christ, I can’t help but to think about His faithfulness as well and through His Grace He redeems us. Now in return the Love God so freely gives us, the mercy and grace He extends to us daily, how we dare not extend to others. We all have or had acted foolishly too. Great post Kristen!
Wow. The last part reminds me of the song “There Is A Cloud” by Elevation Worship https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZkmDqk2ivs
“For the dry season is over, there is a Cloud, beginning to swell…we receive Your rain…like a flood, we receive Your love”
Thank you Lord for being there. You can bring good, even out of the midst of a storm. Thank you for nevering leaving my side.
Also reminds me of the song Starlight by Bethel music: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=enCf0Cy949Q
He comes in close, even in the waiting, even in the midst and after the storm. “You’re not far away, you’re coming close…You are closer than the very oxygen I’m breathing.”
It has been so easy to despair in the desert season. I’ve been so discouraged by even a small group that dismissed me because a study we were doing caused me to have panic attacks, & they kept praying that I’d soften my heart toward something that triggered things that are not yet healed. I’ve been worried about a job that I’m a doormat at, & not finding something better. And, so down because I don’t see any end to this season, or even a chance to move from where I’m at (in more ways than one). And just. Man. What a reminder. God is faithful. One day He’s going to bring me to that forever home. One day all this sorrow will be gone. Ready for it. Excited for it!!
Praying for you, Sara, that you will have confidence in those ‘streams in the desert’ and that hope will bring you comfort.
Thank you!!
Sara, I can relate–to the panic attacks, to the worry about work, and to the feeling that this season will never end. I’m praying for you, and praying that the inevitable blessing rain will pour down soon. Sending you lots of love!
My heart is open shouting Yes, Yes, Yes!
That was a good one! Cried reading it!
Isaiah has been rocking me lately! I love this verse and I love —-> “However dry and parched your emotional landscape may feel this season, don’t despair. Because when the rain of God’s reign inevitably falls, your life will bloom.” Come on DOWNPOUR!
http://www.in-due-time.com
Thank you ladies for praying with me in the loss of my baby yesterday. It meant more than I can say. Clinging to the word this morning as my body and heart feel like an empty desert…
“the wilderness and the dry land will be glad; the desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose. It will blossom abundantly and will also rejoice with joy and singing.” Isaiah 35:1-2
He is good and my life will bloom again. thankful for this community and His word.
Still praying, Emily- for peace and assistance as you walk through your grief.
Praying still!
Prayers continue. Hugging you from here.
Wrapping you in prayers.
Oh Emily…. there just are no words. I had to say goodbye to my twin daughters five years ago and the ache is so deep. I am praying for God to wrap His loving arms around you
Emily, I am so sorry. Prayerful that God cover you with an unbelievable peace in your grief.
My life has really been a desert for the past few years and when you’re stuck in that desert for so long, it becomes so easy to forget that anything else exists. That’s why I love the verse on the photo today, Isaiah 35:1. I love that it says the desert and wilderness will be glad and blossom again. Because sometimes when you’re standing out there and all you can see is sand, it feels impossible that there will ever be gladness again. But slowly, God has been healing and restoring and building a deeper faith in me. And isn’t that amazing how He can use our desert places, our heartbreaks, our disappointments and turn them into something good that draws us deeper into relationship with Him? It’s like He’s trying to show us that we were only scratching the surface before and now we’re ready to take the plunge! Always scary, sometimes hard and always good in the end.
I completely understand. And I’m reminded of Hosea 2:14 But then I will win her back once again. I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her there.
Sometimes the desert is exactly the place where God leads us into a deeper understanding of who he is and who we are. He WILL turn our Valley of Achor into a gateway of hope!
I hear you Casey! I have experienced His tenderness in the wilderness. Still do really. In my eyes life still looks like a desert. I guess what God really sees is a glorious opportunity to be alone with us and have our undivided attention. And yes, we long for the blossoming part, but I guess once we trust and let go and embrace the desert and the intimacy with Him… that would be what a sanctified life looks like.
Bless you! ❤ Good to know we’re not the only ones living a desert life.