Carol J German

Welcome to a glorious 2021. I can say this because God is with us. God is in control. No matter what we face, God has everything under control. It may not seem like it, but He does. The question is, will we believe and trust?

We have hope for the future when we place our trust in God’s Son. Jesus is the living God who has the power to cleanse us from our sins.

Having to face that we are sinful is a barrier for many people. Many have a difficult time getting past being convicted of their sins. For those who acknowledge this reality, God steps in and gives eternal hope. Believers know that better days lie ahead. We have hope for the future.

For those who are unsure or fearful of believing and trusting Christ, I want to show you what God does for those who say yes to Him. As we study Isaiah 35, we will see that we have nothing to fear. God shows us what happens between God and His children.

We first see that we need changing, a changing of the guard needs to take place within our hearts. Please don’t be deterred by this. Stay with me, I promise God is going to show us how this humbling time is worth it down the road. God does not leave us in the mess of our sins. He replaces that which is being removed with better things, like Himself. Thus, we are never alone.

Notice what God gives us after He removes our earthly idols that keep us from living for Him. We may feel like we are in the wilderness where it’s desert-like, but notice how He fills us with gladness as He replants our hearts with things that will bloom, like a spring crocus. Even in the desert, where we may be wondering where is God and what is He doing, He gives us an abundance of flowers as new life springs forth. God places a song in our hearts and we are filled with joy!

There, in the changing of our hearts, the LORD will display His glory.²

Next, as we realize that God is for us and not against us, God empowers us to live out the love that He graciously places within our hearts. We are made new. We become like Christ. We see how Christ is our Redeemer and the Rebuilder of our lives.

Life will beat us up for we know that we live in an imperfect world. Yet, this world or our sins does not deter the love of God! Look at verses 3-4, while we battle each day, God strengthens our tired hands. He encourages those with weak knees and fearful hearts.

“Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.”

Verses 5-10 continues to reveal what God does for those who have hearts that seek Him. God opens the eyes of the blind. He unplugs the ears of the deaf. God gives us 2020 vision as well as keen hearing (discernment) when we look to Him. We won’t walk around stumbling over our sins any longer, letting them have control. God makes us sure-footed like a deer. He fills our mouths with uplifting words. We become voices in a heavenly choir as we sing for joy in all that God does for us.

Our lives won’t be stale and boring either. God places springs and streams that will gush forth onto our parched lands. He will satisfy us. Any new growth that springs up will flourish for we will have new life.

The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Life won’t seem like an obstacle course when we keep our focus on God. He gives us discernment and shows us the way. He puts the “Highway of Holiness” in front of us. “Only those who walk in God’s ways” can walk on it. We need to keep walking in His ways, lest we find ourselves “evil-minded” as verse 8 says.

Isaiah ends with some encouraging words as we face uncertainties in 2021. Believers walking on God’s holy highway will find no dangers lurking around. We are safe when we trust and obey God. He takes care of His own.

Those who have been ransomed by the Lord, those who have allowed Christ to cleanse them from their sins, will have hearts overflowing with singing, everlasting joy and gladness!

We have great hope for the future as we embrace Christ’s amazing grace and unconditional love. Who’s with me? Who is ready for the Lover of your souls to do an amazing work within us? We will live united in love if we do.