This title came from a Scripture I was reading: “The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.” Isaiah 35: 1
How in the world can a desert land, that’s parched and dry, be glad? How can a wilderness land blossom? Only God, right? A wilderness is an uncultivated and uninhabited place.
I love the writings from the prophet Isaiah. He uses the personification of nature to get his point across. His imagery is powerful. As a visual learner, the pictures he portrays helps me to understand better. Yes, God speaks through nature and pictures.
In this chapter, Isaiah is announcing the transformation when Israel, “Will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God.” Isaiah 35: 2
Using this descriptive language, Isaiah speaks of a flower blossoming. He says, “Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon.” Isaiah 35: 2
These lands, Carmel and Sharon are fertile areas known for beautiful trees and foliage. It’s a great grazing pasture.
Are you in need of transformation? If your answer is yes, Here’s another part of that chapter: “Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come.” Isaiah 35: 5
Whatever season you are in, God promises that sorrow and sighing will flee. Isaiah wrote this as he was seeing the future blessings of a restored nation, now called Zion. The context of his writing is proclaiming the joy of a redeemed nation–now restored. He is declaring what’s in the future.
In this season, when we see an open flower, remember it was once all closed up, and even beneath the surface of the earth, not displayed yet. God is working underneath and in the hidden places. Let springtime, for you, be a picture of God opening things up for you. Our God will replace what was snuffed out. Our God will redeem what was lost.
Here are some promises, in similar language, that say the same thing: “The Lord has made proclamation to the ends of the earth: Say to the Daughter of Zion, See, your Savior comes! See, His reward is with Him, and His recompense accompanies Him.” Isaiah 62: 11
The word “recompense” is to make amends to someone for loss or harm suffered.
God will compensate (repay, reimburse, make restitution) for all that has been done wrong to you. He redeems our lives.
Ultimately, He promises, “Behold, I am coming soon. My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.” Revelation 22: 12
He sees “what has been done to you.” Leave it there!
I tried to end there, but my spirit was leaping with God’s promises to exhort further! Better than the crocus, which is a beautiful flower, is the “rose.” Jesus has said, “I am the Rose of Sharon, a lily of the valley.” Song of Solomon 2: 1
The season of dryness and being in the wilderness is transformed into a garden.
Standing within the garden is Jesus, our love, saying, “Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me. See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves, is heard in the land. The fig tree forms its every fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come my darling; my beautiful one, come with me.” Song of Solomon 2:10-13
Arise! He is calling to you. Sit outside and listen to the sound of singing birds and cooing doves and SEE the beauty that is blooming all around us!
Listening To The Sounds,
Mary Beth Pecora
