07 May 2016

Isaiah and anxiety

Isaiah 34-35 is highly symbolic. I encourage you to read through these chapters. 
God is bringing judgment to Edom - the symbol for the wicked. He destroys the land and returns it to nothingness again like  in Genesis 1. When he does this he sends the unclean animals there along with sin (symbolized by thorns). This causes the desert to rejoice because it will be cleansed of sin and return to lush land again (like returning to Eden again). The anxious are to take note of this and be encouraged. 

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."  - Isaiah 35:4
Anxiety comes for many reasons but I believe the main reason is because we fear something bad will happen again (this is true for me. I've had crippling anxiety for several years and am now coming out of it. This is part of my experience). The anxious are to take note of the redemption God brought to the land because he will do this for us as well. God will bring justice where we are anxious. 

Where do you need to see God's justice and vengeance against the places where sin has taken from you (both your sin and the sin committed against you)?
The next verses in Isaiah 35 go on to say the blind will see, the deaf hear, the lame walk and the mute talk. This is a saying the Jews had. It's like saying you will understand this in your heart for the eyes are the pathway to the soul. You will understand this intellectually for your ears are the pathway to the mind. You will take action and walk again and speak of this as you go because you have been changed by this experience. 

As this happens the desert in our lives will be turned into lush garden once again. We will be renewed and receive back what was lost due to sin. 

And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.  - Isaiah 35:10

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.