A Glimpse of Heaven

In a follow up to a recent post, I wanted to leave you with this chapter from Isaiah. This has continually encouraged me when I become discouraged concerning friends, family members, etc. that have passed away. It is the reason that I sing at the top of my lungs while in the shower, the reason I dance while I'm driving down the street, even though some say I don't have much rhythm, and the reason why I can't help but walk around with this dumb smile on my face!The joy we have as believers is secured in this very chapter. Though we are faced with trials during this lifetime, though it may seem as if we have given the enemy a foothold when we are in sin, Christ did not! He is our victory. His death alone was sufficient enough for us to walk in the newness of life and to have the blessed hope of spending eternity with our maker. Please meditate on the goodness and grace of our creator while you read Isaiah 35. Notice in verse 5 that it says that the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. They will be able to see all of God's creation in perfection. What an amazing thought!

Isaiah 35
The Ransomed Shall Return
1 The desert and the parched land will be glad;
the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.
Like the crocus, 2 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;
they will see the glory of the LORD,
the splendor of our God.

3 Strengthen the feeble hands,
steady the knees that give way;

4 say to those with fearful hearts,
"Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come,
he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
he will come to save you."

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.

7 The burning sand will become a pool,
the thirsty ground bubbling springs.
In the haunts where jackals once lay,
grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.

8 And a highway will be there;
it will be called the Way of Holiness.
The unclean will not journey on it;
it will be for those who walk in that Way;
wicked fools will not go about on it. [a]

9 No lion will be there,
nor will any ferocious beast get up on it;
they will not be found there.
But only the redeemed will walk there,

10 and the ransomed of the LORD will return.
They will enter Zion with singing;
everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Gladness and joy will overtake them,
and sorrow and sighing will flee away.