WEBVTT 00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:15.759 Father, we thank you for your word. We thank you for passages of scripture like Isaiah 35 that speak to something that we desperately long for, but just is not present in our world. 00:00:15.759 --> 00:00:28.600 So help us to come to scripture, hearing it afresh, and Lord, putting our hope in you, for you are the one whom this scripture speaks of. 00:00:29.619 --> 00:00:34.039 And what you have promised to do, you will surely make it happen. 00:00:34.679 --> 00:00:43.119 So Lord, we pray this morning, what we don't have that you would give us, what we don't know, you will teach us, and what we are not, you will make us become. 00:00:43.119 --> 00:00:45.879 We pray all this in Christ's name. Amen. 00:00:50.059 --> 00:00:56.899 If you hang around me for a few days, you'll know that I really enjoy podcasts. I'm sure I'm not the only one here. 00:00:57.199 --> 00:01:11.680 Love podcasts. I wonder, honestly, sometimes if I am a glutton for podcasts and if I'm doing myself a big disservice by listening so much that I'm just not taking in as much as maybe is available to me. 00:01:11.680 --> 00:01:18.800 Nevertheless, I love them. History podcasts. I just recently got into a true crime podcast that a friend of a friend started. 00:01:18.799 --> 00:01:27.560 One about espionage. Very wonderful stuff. Interesting thing about podcasters is that often they're entrepreneurs. 00:01:27.959 --> 00:01:32.319 They're trying to hustle. They're trying to make a living out of it. 00:01:32.420 --> 00:01:34.659 And a part of that is getting advertisers. 00:01:34.659 --> 00:01:40.079 And more and more, I've heard an advertisement for BetterHelp. 00:01:40.599 --> 00:01:56.679 It's this online therapy counseling organization that pairs you up with a counselor from wherever to help navigate difficulties and mental health challenges, etc., etc. 00:01:56.680 --> 00:02:06.760 Overall, I think it's a wonderful thing that the taboo around talking about one's mental health is not really a taboo anymore. 00:02:06.860 --> 00:02:10.980 At least it's a lot more mainstream and people can get help that they need. 00:02:10.979 --> 00:02:18.979 But I will say it seems to me that more and more there is... 00:02:18.979 --> 00:02:25.299 It seems like anxiety specifically, it is becoming more prevalent. 00:02:25.439 --> 00:02:33.919 And I don't know if it's just that it has always existed and people are just pointing the spotlight at it or people are just becoming more anxious. 00:02:33.919 --> 00:02:38.359 It's not so much a judgment as just an observation. 00:02:39.939 --> 00:02:42.839 And anxiety, interestingly, can manifest in many ways. 00:02:43.439 --> 00:02:48.560 But I'd like to specifically focus around the anxiety that comes with the unknown, 00:02:48.560 --> 00:02:54.199 which is really an interesting and very prevalent thing in our day because there are a lot of unknowns. 00:02:54.359 --> 00:02:55.359 There's a lot of anxieties. 00:02:56.119 --> 00:03:03.739 The past year, if anything, we've seen an anxiety around the financial future, 00:03:03.740 --> 00:03:05.000 especially around young people. 00:03:05.379 --> 00:03:06.600 Can they afford homes? 00:03:07.159 --> 00:03:07.860 Can they rent? 00:03:08.040 --> 00:03:08.659 Afford rent? 00:03:09.040 --> 00:03:10.760 Will they make ends meet? 00:03:12.100 --> 00:03:17.379 There's an ever-growing segment of our society that has eco-anxiety. 00:03:17.939 --> 00:03:21.719 The earth is on its way to Armageddon. 00:03:22.240 --> 00:03:23.680 So much so that... 00:03:23.680 --> 00:03:29.760 And I think it's still a smaller group, but nevertheless, if I've heard of it, I'm sure you have as well. 00:03:29.759 --> 00:03:37.479 People, young people that don't want to start families because they're afraid that the children they bring into the world will be brought into a hellscape. 00:03:38.079 --> 00:03:40.359 A lot of anxiety around that. 00:03:42.539 --> 00:03:43.919 Social anxieties. 00:03:45.199 --> 00:03:48.219 Like I said, financial anxieties. 00:03:49.500 --> 00:03:53.120 All sorts of different issues around the unknown. 00:03:53.120 --> 00:03:56.219 There's no assurance at its core. 00:03:56.319 --> 00:04:00.000 There's no assurance that the future will be okay. 00:04:00.200 --> 00:04:03.420 That tomorrow will be brighter than today. 00:04:04.039 --> 00:04:07.659 So there's a lot of problems without resolutions. 00:04:08.439 --> 00:04:11.340 Be they real or perceived, there's no happy ending. 00:04:12.099 --> 00:04:14.560 And I think at its core, there's no hope. 00:04:14.560 --> 00:04:19.660 The Bible tells a different story. 00:04:20.540 --> 00:04:22.379 It proclaims a different story. 00:04:22.639 --> 00:04:33.300 And Advent, this Advent season, is this preparation for really the climax of all of history, of the incarnation, the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. 00:04:33.300 --> 00:04:39.819 That is so subversive, that looks to push back against hopelessness. 00:04:40.319 --> 00:04:41.939 The Bible tells a different story. 00:04:41.939 --> 00:04:47.680 It's a story that understands the human need for resolution and hope. 00:04:49.139 --> 00:04:56.319 It understands that having no assurance for a brighter tomorrow is a terrible, terrible reality to live in. 00:04:57.680 --> 00:05:05.519 The biblical story recognizes that at our core, we don't just need food and drink, but we need joy and gladness. 00:05:05.519 --> 00:05:12.039 We need to be part of something that eclipses the here and now, something that gives us purpose and meaning. 00:05:12.759 --> 00:05:14.060 Something that is eternal. 00:05:14.060 --> 00:05:26.680 I think that at its core, a lot of these anxieties have to do with us feeling like we are homeless, like we do not have a place. 00:05:26.680 --> 00:05:35.379 And yet, we all, to a certain degree, feel this, maybe some more than others. 00:05:35.379 --> 00:05:50.939 And yet, our strivings and our workings and our, all of our energies that we have going after this meaning, this purpose, seems to be elusive. 00:05:50.939 --> 00:05:55.360 So we're going to wrap up our short Advent series in Isaiah. 00:05:55.540 --> 00:06:04.040 We've spent the last three weeks, this is the fourth in Isaiah, looking specifically at the prophecies of the coming of Jesus. 00:06:05.199 --> 00:06:12.019 This, Isaiah 35, it speaks of the visionary climax for all people who know and trust the Savior. 00:06:12.019 --> 00:06:28.620 It envisions the fulfillment and culmination of the human condition, hopes, our strivings, and speaks to a real, genuine resolution for real problems that all human beings face. 00:06:30.039 --> 00:06:37.899 It will actually speak of, this chapter will speak of this eternal home that is available to all that would just call upon the name of the Lord. 00:06:37.979 --> 00:06:38.799 It's a beautiful passage. 00:06:38.800 --> 00:06:42.759 So we're going to turn to Isaiah 35, Matt read it for us. 00:06:43.120 --> 00:06:55.199 If you have a Bible, or if you use one on your app, on your phone, a Bible app, turn with me to Isaiah 35, and we'll consider how our text makes three key promises. 00:06:56.220 --> 00:06:59.120 The first is a promise of life that gives hope. 00:06:59.860 --> 00:07:02.939 The second is the promise of strength that gives endurance. 00:07:02.939 --> 00:07:10.379 And finally, the promise of goodness, that we can enjoy goodness forevermore. 00:07:10.939 --> 00:07:13.199 So we're going to jump right into it, verses 1 and 2. 00:07:13.759 --> 00:07:18.500 Our first promise that we're going to look at is the promise of love, of life that gives hope. 00:07:18.779 --> 00:07:20.259 I'll read verses 1 and 2 again. 00:07:20.259 --> 00:07:45.620 Just a bit of a context to Isaiah 35. 00:07:45.620 --> 00:07:48.920 In the previous chapter, it's a chapter of judgment. 00:07:50.180 --> 00:07:54.800 And it's really actually a hard chapter to read. 00:07:56.079 --> 00:08:05.000 And it's hard to square it with the truth that the Bible claims and that we will always promote that God is a God of love. 00:08:05.139 --> 00:08:07.079 It can seem incongruent. 00:08:07.079 --> 00:08:15.139 I'm not going to read it, but it uses language like, the sword of God will be sated. 00:08:16.319 --> 00:08:17.560 God will get his blood. 00:08:18.139 --> 00:08:20.060 It's like a really intense passage. 00:08:20.740 --> 00:08:22.219 I'm not going to get into it. 00:08:22.919 --> 00:08:24.659 I talked about this a couple weeks ago. 00:08:24.660 --> 00:08:29.480 But I'll just mention that the judgment of God is a part of his love. 00:08:30.140 --> 00:08:38.300 It's a part of him protecting those he loves and doing a just thing to evil. 00:08:38.660 --> 00:08:39.620 So that's all I'll say. 00:08:39.740 --> 00:08:41.100 I'm happy to talk about it afterwards. 00:08:42.420 --> 00:08:49.000 But I just want to draw your attention to, within this context, we have the preceding chapter of being a judgment chapter. 00:08:49.139 --> 00:08:49.639 It's heavy. 00:08:49.639 --> 00:08:58.019 And then we get into chapter 35, and we see something completely different. 00:08:58.379 --> 00:09:06.000 If chapter 34 describes a hopeless people, a rudderless, confused people, a homeless people, 00:09:06.720 --> 00:09:10.939 this chapter speaks of a desert that is blooming. 00:09:11.360 --> 00:09:17.879 It's this absolutely magnificent picture of an oasis in the desert. 00:09:17.879 --> 00:09:19.460 And it's a miraculous one. 00:09:20.639 --> 00:09:23.779 Chapter 35 has shades. 00:09:23.939 --> 00:09:28.659 If you know your Bible, it will draw you back to the Exodus. 00:09:29.500 --> 00:09:32.559 If you don't know much about the Exodus or if you've forgotten, no problem. 00:09:32.939 --> 00:09:35.960 Israel's in Egyptian bondage for 400 years. 00:09:36.120 --> 00:09:43.720 God saves them and brings them to, promises them this land of their own that was promised to Abraham. 00:09:44.080 --> 00:09:45.279 It's called the promised land. 00:09:45.279 --> 00:09:53.139 But between God rescuing Israel out of Egyptian slavery and then them entering the promised land, 00:09:53.259 --> 00:09:58.319 they have 40 years of wandering in the desert, in the wilderness. 00:09:58.320 --> 00:10:03.080 And during that time, they were grumblers. 00:10:03.200 --> 00:10:07.140 In fact, the whole generation did not enjoy the promised land. 00:10:07.260 --> 00:10:17.600 But in one of these scenes with their grumblings, they demand of God some kind of miraculous sustenance. 00:10:17.660 --> 00:10:18.740 They are looking for water. 00:10:19.140 --> 00:10:21.920 They are looking to quench their thirst in the desert. 00:10:21.919 --> 00:10:27.740 They actually threaten to kill Moses if he doesn't make God do what they want. 00:10:27.839 --> 00:10:31.679 It's a really horrendous blight on the history of Israel. 00:10:31.860 --> 00:10:36.379 But yet, God in his mercy caused water to shoot out from a rock. 00:10:36.379 --> 00:10:39.600 And you have to think, it's not just like a little stream. 00:10:39.779 --> 00:10:43.439 There's hundreds of thousands of people. 00:10:43.659 --> 00:10:45.399 It would have been a sight to see. 00:10:45.620 --> 00:10:49.779 And God does it for his people because he's a merciful and loving God. 00:10:49.919 --> 00:10:55.559 And we have something similar here because what is being described is the desert blooming. 00:10:56.419 --> 00:11:02.440 And what Isaiah, really the Lord, but what Isaiah is describing is a second kind of Exodus. 00:11:02.440 --> 00:11:10.580 If Exodus represents God rescuing his people out of slavery, specifically Egyptian slavery, 00:11:11.140 --> 00:11:15.840 causing the desert to bloom as they are on their way to the promised land, 00:11:16.300 --> 00:11:19.700 then Isaiah 35 envisions something even greater. 00:11:20.460 --> 00:11:25.680 A second Exodus, but a greater Exodus, where God will rescue not just the Israelites, 00:11:25.679 --> 00:11:31.259 but all people out of their bondage, not to just Egypt, but to sin and to death. 00:11:32.299 --> 00:11:37.099 And that as he is leading them to Mount Zion, which we'll see in verses 8 to 10, 00:11:38.279 --> 00:11:43.699 he will give them signs of the glory that is to come. 00:11:44.679 --> 00:11:48.479 So this kind of sets the stage of what Isaiah 35 is all about. 00:11:48.919 --> 00:11:49.979 The desert will bloom. 00:11:50.359 --> 00:11:51.240 It will bring life. 00:11:51.240 --> 00:11:56.539 It will be beautiful and strong as they return God's people to the promised land, 00:11:56.720 --> 00:11:59.820 as the redeemed return to him, as he restores a people. 00:12:00.899 --> 00:12:02.419 But how will this come about? 00:12:03.360 --> 00:12:05.440 Isaiah tells us at the end of verse 2. 00:12:05.560 --> 00:12:07.860 So I'll read a portion of verse 1. 00:12:09.000 --> 00:12:11.000 I'll read actually verses 1 and 2 again. 00:12:11.200 --> 00:12:15.659 So we have all that in the background and we're familiar with the text again. 00:12:16.120 --> 00:12:16.919 But this is what it says. 00:12:17.080 --> 00:12:18.399 But this is how the Lord's going to do it. 00:12:18.419 --> 00:12:19.560 It'll be the second part of verse 2. 00:12:19.560 --> 00:12:20.840 I'll draw your attention to it shortly. 00:12:21.799 --> 00:12:22.220 Verse 1. 00:12:22.919 --> 00:12:25.060 The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad. 00:12:25.879 --> 00:12:29.039 The desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus. 00:12:29.759 --> 00:12:32.259 It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. 00:12:32.340 --> 00:12:34.600 The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it. 00:12:34.639 --> 00:12:36.480 The majesty of Carmel and Sharon. 00:12:36.560 --> 00:12:37.720 These are images of beauty. 00:12:38.460 --> 00:12:40.159 But here is how the Lord's going to do it. 00:12:41.259 --> 00:12:43.460 They shall see the glory of the Lord. 00:12:43.659 --> 00:12:45.779 The majesty of our God. 00:12:45.779 --> 00:12:48.399 The unseeable God. 00:12:48.399 --> 00:12:53.059 The source of pure light and life will allow himself to be seen. 00:12:53.659 --> 00:12:58.279 Which is to say that he is bringing people into his very presence. 00:12:58.279 --> 00:13:00.500 He is becoming their God. 00:13:00.500 --> 00:13:01.799 They are becoming his people. 00:13:01.799 --> 00:13:07.319 And a relationship is being forged by God with his people. 00:13:07.839 --> 00:13:09.339 And he is letting them in. 00:13:09.340 --> 00:13:13.280 He is the prize of prizes to be won. 00:13:14.000 --> 00:13:17.680 And the end in both senses of our strivings will be realized. 00:13:17.679 --> 00:13:20.399 It will cause the end of our strivings. 00:13:20.399 --> 00:13:23.319 And it will be the end of our strivings. 00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:31.779 And this is a wonderful, beautiful picture because it describes the Christian faith in a very real way. 00:13:31.779 --> 00:13:35.519 One of which is about life and hope. 00:13:36.679 --> 00:13:45.959 The Christian faith promises to give abundant life through knowing the unconquerable, unseeable, pure, just, and loving God. 00:13:46.600 --> 00:13:54.500 And as we behold him on his terms, we behold his glory, his majesty, we find our purpose. 00:13:56.299 --> 00:13:57.399 This is Christian hope. 00:13:57.399 --> 00:14:06.679 And if we embrace it, anxieties about the future, anxieties about death and despair will begin to subside. 00:14:07.059 --> 00:14:08.879 Knowing one's true purpose in life. 00:14:09.899 --> 00:14:17.419 Knowing that there is a God who loves and has made a way for exiles us to return to him. 00:14:17.939 --> 00:14:21.079 It's incredibly powerful. 00:14:21.259 --> 00:14:26.899 And it will bolster one's faith and one's mental fortitude. 00:14:27.399 --> 00:14:36.360 And what I'm not saying is that this is a promise to live a life complete without anxieties. 00:14:37.459 --> 00:14:38.319 Anxieties come. 00:14:39.120 --> 00:14:40.399 Doubt creeps in. 00:14:41.199 --> 00:14:45.039 Situations that are out of our control wreak havoc in our lives. 00:14:45.299 --> 00:14:48.100 Loss in all sorts of different ways. 00:14:49.139 --> 00:14:51.480 Will come and they will shake us. 00:14:51.480 --> 00:14:52.920 But I'll say this. 00:14:53.220 --> 00:15:03.860 The more we entrust our future and our present to this God, the more we will be immovable. 00:15:05.580 --> 00:15:09.659 Not that we will have greater strength or greater grit in and of ourselves, 00:15:09.820 --> 00:15:14.620 but our hope will be on someone who is unshakable. 00:15:14.620 --> 00:15:20.200 Our lives will be on a firm foundation. 00:15:22.080 --> 00:15:27.879 But this ultimate day that Isaiah is talking about here is far off for the original hearers. 00:15:28.399 --> 00:15:30.179 The desert at the time did not bloom. 00:15:31.060 --> 00:15:35.980 We'll see later on that there's this promise of a Messiah and what he will do. 00:15:36.220 --> 00:15:37.399 It has not yet come. 00:15:37.399 --> 00:15:43.439 The original hearers of Isaiah's prophecy are just taking this at God's word. 00:15:44.600 --> 00:15:45.600 They still lived in a desert. 00:15:46.740 --> 00:15:49.179 We also do not know such a future. 00:15:49.559 --> 00:15:55.779 Because what is spoken of in Isaiah 35, part of it has come to pass, but not in its fullness. 00:15:55.779 --> 00:15:59.579 They lived in a desert land and so do we. 00:16:00.879 --> 00:16:07.179 So how can we continue to endure such difficulties and feelings of unease, such difficulties of life, 00:16:07.699 --> 00:16:10.639 and yet the promise is something so much greater. 00:16:11.459 --> 00:16:16.059 Something without anxieties, without fears, without pain, without doubt. 00:16:16.980 --> 00:16:18.259 It brings us to our second promise. 00:16:19.299 --> 00:16:22.220 The promise of strength that gives endurance. 00:16:23.139 --> 00:16:25.639 Verses 3 to 7, if you could turn with me to that. 00:16:26.459 --> 00:16:30.220 Just in a second, I'll just mention something briefly. 00:16:31.179 --> 00:16:33.539 So the promise is still far off. 00:16:34.980 --> 00:16:44.659 Which means God's people need to trust the Lord for encouragement and strength to endure. 00:16:45.179 --> 00:16:46.500 Easier said than done. 00:16:49.519 --> 00:16:52.659 Interestingly, as a father of young kids, 00:16:52.659 --> 00:17:01.259 I'm starting to see more and more my faith with the Lord in relation to my children's relationship to me. 00:17:01.259 --> 00:17:12.039 And I see sometimes, I tell them, listen, just wait a little bit, you'll get whatever it is later. 00:17:12.279 --> 00:17:15.819 Or just wait a little bit, mom and I are busy doing something. 00:17:15.819 --> 00:17:21.980 I ask them to wait, but then compel them to trust me. 00:17:22.419 --> 00:17:26.879 And then I see how they struggle with that. 00:17:26.939 --> 00:17:27.980 Not always failing. 00:17:27.980 --> 00:17:29.620 Sometimes, very dramatically. 00:17:29.620 --> 00:17:30.700 Sometimes, very dramatically. 00:17:31.099 --> 00:17:33.400 Sometimes doing a great job in waiting. 00:17:34.019 --> 00:17:38.339 But nevertheless, they need to trust me that my word is true. 00:17:38.980 --> 00:17:40.980 And that what I've promised will come to pass. 00:17:40.980 --> 00:17:43.240 If they would just listen to my voice. 00:17:45.360 --> 00:17:47.660 I fail in keeping promises. 00:17:48.140 --> 00:17:51.099 But nevertheless, you see the struggle here. 00:17:51.180 --> 00:17:51.900 You see the tension. 00:17:52.980 --> 00:17:54.099 God has promised something. 00:17:54.180 --> 00:17:55.200 It has not come to pass. 00:17:55.279 --> 00:17:57.120 He is saying, trust me. 00:17:57.500 --> 00:17:58.200 And it will. 00:17:59.180 --> 00:18:02.720 So the people need to be steadfast and stable and convictional in their beliefs. 00:18:02.720 --> 00:18:12.720 Nevertheless, when you have to wait indefinitely, your trust can begin to wane. 00:18:13.400 --> 00:18:20.000 There's this wonderful, very memorable verse in Proverbs chapter 13. 00:18:20.360 --> 00:18:21.299 And some of you may know it. 00:18:21.620 --> 00:18:23.880 Hope deferred makes the heart sick. 00:18:24.360 --> 00:18:26.600 But a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. 00:18:27.200 --> 00:18:30.799 But that first part, hope deferred makes the heart sick. 00:18:30.799 --> 00:18:33.200 It is hard to continue to wait on the Lord. 00:18:34.339 --> 00:18:37.359 Especially if there's no reprieve for the difficulty of life. 00:18:38.539 --> 00:18:40.619 Sometimes the seasons we go through. 00:18:41.059 --> 00:18:42.619 And you can look back on them. 00:18:42.700 --> 00:18:43.139 There's seasons. 00:18:43.259 --> 00:18:46.379 But when you're in them, they feel unending. 00:18:46.720 --> 00:18:49.220 Like there is no light at the end of the tunnel. 00:18:49.440 --> 00:18:53.759 It is difficult to think that things will be better. 00:18:53.980 --> 00:18:55.759 I mentioned at the beginning of the sermon. 00:18:55.940 --> 00:19:00.779 The hopelessness that seems to be gripping at least a lot of young people in our day. 00:19:00.799 --> 00:19:05.399 It is hard to somehow think that tomorrow or next year or next decade will be better. 00:19:06.379 --> 00:19:09.259 And then our trust begins to wane. 00:19:11.079 --> 00:19:18.180 How then can we live in a period where our desires are not fully fulfilled yet God has promised that they will be? 00:19:18.659 --> 00:19:22.680 And our hope is deferred yet God says continue to hope. 00:19:22.680 --> 00:19:28.320 Notice here that this is an anxious heart that's being described. 00:19:28.319 --> 00:19:33.319 And yet the anxious heart in verses 3 and 4 is bolstered. 00:19:34.500 --> 00:19:44.379 Not by extra effort or better strategy or more grit or more alms giving or being a better person or this inner strength mantra. 00:19:45.059 --> 00:19:48.460 But rather with beholding the Lord and waiting for his salvation. 00:19:48.579 --> 00:19:48.939 Look with me. 00:19:48.980 --> 00:19:49.740 Verses 3 and 4. 00:19:49.740 --> 00:19:56.240 Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble knees. 00:19:57.059 --> 00:20:00.140 Say to those who have an anxious heart, be strong, fear not. 00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:02.779 Behold, your God will come with vengeance. 00:20:03.319 --> 00:20:06.579 With the recompense of God, he will come and save you. 00:20:06.579 --> 00:20:15.419 What is being compelled, what the Lord, how he's encouraging us to trust in him here is passively. 00:20:16.039 --> 00:20:16.839 Trust in me. 00:20:17.859 --> 00:20:24.879 It is not a type of action that is to take life by the horns. 00:20:25.039 --> 00:20:29.799 But rather to trust in the Lord in the difficulties that we are going through. 00:20:29.799 --> 00:20:32.200 Recognizing first that we have needs. 00:20:32.819 --> 00:20:33.700 Verses 3. 00:20:34.180 --> 00:20:36.180 That our hands are weak. 00:20:36.299 --> 00:20:37.799 That our knees are feeble. 00:20:37.960 --> 00:20:40.259 That our hearts are anxious. 00:20:41.680 --> 00:20:44.279 And then going to the Lord to trust in him. 00:20:45.220 --> 00:20:46.099 To look to him. 00:20:46.180 --> 00:20:47.299 To just be honest with him. 00:20:47.859 --> 00:20:51.339 To not give him the solution to our problems but say this is the problem. 00:20:51.339 --> 00:21:05.099 If you are new to the Christian faith or are looking into it, it is hard to be a committed and faithful Christian throughout one's life. 00:21:06.079 --> 00:21:08.619 Like I mentioned before, doubts and struggles, they are real. 00:21:10.879 --> 00:21:17.779 Strain on one's faith is maybe more common than we'd like to admit. 00:21:17.779 --> 00:21:20.139 But I'll say this. 00:21:20.339 --> 00:21:30.079 It's even harder to be a committed, faithful Christian when we are detached from the source of our strength to live a Christian life. 00:21:30.139 --> 00:21:30.819 That is Christ. 00:21:31.839 --> 00:21:35.639 We try to live a Christian life without Christ. 00:21:36.379 --> 00:21:39.440 We can go through the motions for only so long. 00:21:39.980 --> 00:21:44.960 But we will be devoid of the power we need to live faithfully. 00:21:44.960 --> 00:21:45.720 To endure. 00:21:45.720 --> 00:21:53.720 So, it's remarkable that this is an Advent prophecy. 00:21:53.940 --> 00:21:57.640 Because the incarnation is the very strength we need. 00:21:58.380 --> 00:21:58.640 How? 00:21:59.880 --> 00:22:00.420 Why? 00:22:01.180 --> 00:22:06.279 Because Christ comes to bring a foretaste of this eternal promise for us. 00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:12.720 God doesn't say, in the far distant future, you will enjoy joy and gladness forevermore. 00:22:12.720 --> 00:22:16.600 When it will come, not sure, but just endure. 00:22:16.779 --> 00:22:23.299 No, he sends Jesus to take upon human flesh and to give us a foretaste of what is to come. 00:22:23.640 --> 00:22:25.160 Look with me at verses 5 to 6. 00:22:25.160 --> 00:22:30.160 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, the ears of the deaf unstopped. 00:22:31.400 --> 00:22:36.279 Then shall the lame man leap like a deer and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. 00:22:36.640 --> 00:22:39.540 All the Gospels record these miracles. 00:22:39.820 --> 00:22:43.019 All of them see Jesus do these things. 00:22:43.019 --> 00:22:57.079 But here's the interesting thing about it. 00:22:57.079 --> 00:23:01.019 It is not just for the sake of Jesus gathering. 00:23:01.019 --> 00:23:16.460 It is for the purpose of bringing heaven to earth. 00:23:16.460 --> 00:23:23.460 If the incarnation, and we'll look at this on Christmas Eve, but if heaven comes to earth, 00:23:23.860 --> 00:23:26.360 so too does the culture of heaven. 00:23:26.940 --> 00:23:32.039 So that what we see in the Gospels is like God saying, listen, it's coming. 00:23:33.039 --> 00:23:34.019 I promise. 00:23:34.180 --> 00:23:35.940 And I'm just going to send just a taste of it. 00:23:36.180 --> 00:23:38.200 So you know what is around the corner. 00:23:39.019 --> 00:23:40.680 John the Baptist understood this. 00:23:40.680 --> 00:23:44.100 Luke chapter 7 verses 18 to 23. 00:23:44.880 --> 00:23:51.360 John sends disciples to talk to Jesus, asking very specifically if he is going to usher in the kingdom of heaven, 00:23:51.440 --> 00:23:52.140 if he's the Messiah. 00:23:52.299 --> 00:23:54.160 And this is what it says, verses 18 and following. 00:23:55.560 --> 00:23:58.840 The disciples of John reported all these things to him. 00:23:59.420 --> 00:24:04.080 And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, that is Jesus, saying, 00:24:05.060 --> 00:24:08.580 Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another? 00:24:08.579 --> 00:24:11.639 And when the men had come to him, they said, 00:24:11.759 --> 00:24:13.500 John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, 00:24:13.579 --> 00:24:16.000 Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another? 00:24:17.059 --> 00:24:21.399 In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, 00:24:21.480 --> 00:24:26.139 and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. 00:24:26.779 --> 00:24:27.480 Verse 22. 00:24:28.079 --> 00:24:29.119 And Jesus answered them, 00:24:29.599 --> 00:24:32.199 Go and tell John what you have seen and heard. 00:24:32.879 --> 00:24:34.779 The blind receive their sight, 00:24:35.399 --> 00:24:36.639 the lame walk, 00:24:36.640 --> 00:24:38.360 lepers are cleansed, 00:24:38.700 --> 00:24:39.440 and the deaf hear. 00:24:39.940 --> 00:24:41.040 The dead are raised up, 00:24:41.100 --> 00:24:42.320 the poor have good news, 00:24:42.440 --> 00:24:43.020 preach to them, 00:24:43.680 --> 00:24:46.340 and blessed is the one who is not offended by me. 00:24:48.100 --> 00:24:53.460 John and his disciples understood that Jesus was no mere miracle worker, 00:24:53.860 --> 00:24:54.960 working the crowds, 00:24:55.100 --> 00:24:56.220 gaining a cult following. 00:24:57.040 --> 00:24:58.060 They knew something 00:24:58.060 --> 00:25:01.100 was significant about him, 00:25:01.140 --> 00:25:02.120 and they asked him, 00:25:02.320 --> 00:25:03.340 Are you the Messiah? 00:25:03.339 --> 00:25:05.279 And he says yes. 00:25:05.379 --> 00:25:05.899 But what does he do? 00:25:05.980 --> 00:25:07.559 He quotes Isaiah 35. 00:25:08.639 --> 00:25:10.119 He quotes Isaiah 35. 00:25:10.339 --> 00:25:10.599 He's saying, 00:25:10.679 --> 00:25:10.799 Listen, 00:25:10.939 --> 00:25:11.779 it is fulfilled. 00:25:12.839 --> 00:25:17.220 And you can't separate verses 4, 00:25:17.220 --> 00:25:20.799 you can't separate verses 5 and 6 00:25:20.799 --> 00:25:23.960 out of this entire chapter. 00:25:24.460 --> 00:25:26.460 It is all woven together. 00:25:26.660 --> 00:25:28.799 So what we see Jesus do, 00:25:28.960 --> 00:25:31.700 fulfilling verses 5 and 6, 00:25:32.160 --> 00:25:33.860 give us proof, 00:25:35.019 --> 00:25:39.339 tell us that what is about to come in its fullness 00:25:39.339 --> 00:25:40.620 will indeed happen, 00:25:41.180 --> 00:25:43.559 that life is springing up from death. 00:25:43.559 --> 00:25:46.399 It is a promise for us 00:25:46.399 --> 00:25:48.379 that will help us to endure 00:25:48.379 --> 00:25:50.579 the difficulties of this life. 00:25:52.599 --> 00:25:55.480 Yet the joys and the blessings of this restored creation, 00:25:55.940 --> 00:25:57.279 they're not the pinnacle 00:25:57.279 --> 00:25:59.419 of this messianic redemption. 00:26:00.259 --> 00:26:00.679 Remember, 00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:02.599 this is the second exodus 00:26:02.599 --> 00:26:04.879 that sees slaves become freed, 00:26:05.019 --> 00:26:08.419 freed to enjoy the source and substance of goodness 00:26:08.419 --> 00:26:09.639 for all eternity. 00:26:10.599 --> 00:26:11.919 Slaves are freed, 00:26:11.920 --> 00:26:13.400 not just from slavery, 00:26:13.779 --> 00:26:15.080 but for something else. 00:26:15.259 --> 00:26:16.420 And this next section, 00:26:16.519 --> 00:26:17.440 verses 8 to 10, 00:26:18.100 --> 00:26:21.320 speak to slaves being freed 00:26:21.320 --> 00:26:24.140 for the life to come, 00:26:24.220 --> 00:26:26.500 which is to enjoy the promised land, 00:26:27.100 --> 00:26:28.340 being in the presence of the Lord. 00:26:28.460 --> 00:26:30.940 So we'll get to our third promise, 00:26:31.680 --> 00:26:32.400 and it is this, 00:26:32.519 --> 00:26:36.460 the promise of the enjoyment of goodness forever. 00:26:37.380 --> 00:26:39.120 Look with me at verses 8 to 10. 00:26:39.119 --> 00:26:44.500 And a highway shall be there, 00:26:44.639 --> 00:26:46.399 and it shall be called the way of holiness. 00:26:47.099 --> 00:26:49.139 The unclean shall not pass over it, 00:26:49.219 --> 00:26:51.379 it shall belong to those who walk on the way. 00:26:52.199 --> 00:26:53.659 Even if they are fools, 00:26:53.879 --> 00:26:55.039 they shall not go astray. 00:26:55.339 --> 00:26:56.719 No lion shall be there, 00:26:57.559 --> 00:27:01.139 nor shall any ravenous beasts come up on it. 00:27:01.799 --> 00:27:03.299 They shall not be found there, 00:27:03.359 --> 00:27:05.119 but the redeemed shall walk there. 00:27:05.119 --> 00:27:07.779 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return 00:27:07.779 --> 00:27:09.339 and come to Zion with singing. 00:27:09.479 --> 00:27:11.859 Everlasting joy shall be upon their heads. 00:27:12.739 --> 00:27:15.219 They shall obtain gladness and joy, 00:27:15.639 --> 00:27:18.219 and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. 00:27:20.279 --> 00:27:23.699 The ransomed and redeemed shall return to the Lord. 00:27:23.700 --> 00:27:26.640 And what will mark them is holiness, 00:27:27.720 --> 00:27:29.259 joy, and gladness. 00:27:33.680 --> 00:27:35.340 What will mark the people of the Lord 00:27:35.340 --> 00:27:36.539 will be the very things 00:27:36.539 --> 00:27:38.819 that most of us, 00:27:38.880 --> 00:27:39.799 if not all of us, 00:27:39.819 --> 00:27:41.120 are striving after 00:27:41.120 --> 00:27:43.319 in all the wrong places. 00:27:43.319 --> 00:27:49.179 And the thing about 00:27:49.179 --> 00:27:51.559 these last few verses 00:27:51.559 --> 00:27:53.559 is that it doesn't speak of God 00:27:53.559 --> 00:27:54.939 just giving us a little taste 00:27:54.939 --> 00:27:56.700 or a little sprinkle 00:27:56.700 --> 00:27:59.259 or giving it 00:27:59.259 --> 00:28:00.740 this joy 00:28:00.740 --> 00:28:01.960 and this holiness 00:28:01.960 --> 00:28:03.019 and this gladness 00:28:03.019 --> 00:28:04.099 just for 00:28:04.099 --> 00:28:06.419 a portion of our eternity, 00:28:06.619 --> 00:28:06.779 but 00:28:06.779 --> 00:28:08.759 it speaks of the abundance 00:28:08.759 --> 00:28:10.299 of God forever, 00:28:10.599 --> 00:28:11.939 giving us the very things 00:28:11.940 --> 00:28:14.080 that we desire most. 00:28:15.600 --> 00:28:16.600 He will make a way. 00:28:17.700 --> 00:28:18.779 It speaks of this highway 00:28:18.779 --> 00:28:19.820 through this oasis, 00:28:20.440 --> 00:28:21.700 and it is called 00:28:21.700 --> 00:28:22.660 the way of holiness. 00:28:23.519 --> 00:28:24.400 It is visible. 00:28:24.620 --> 00:28:25.740 It is unmistakable. 00:28:26.380 --> 00:28:27.440 All who want to come 00:28:27.440 --> 00:28:29.160 are welcomed to come 00:28:29.160 --> 00:28:31.180 as long as they are holy, 00:28:31.700 --> 00:28:33.000 which is to say, 00:28:33.480 --> 00:28:34.960 if we put it in context 00:28:34.960 --> 00:28:36.680 with the rest of the chapter, 00:28:37.640 --> 00:28:39.340 those that recognize their weakness 00:28:39.340 --> 00:28:40.900 and call upon the Lord 00:28:40.900 --> 00:28:41.559 to be saved. 00:28:41.940 --> 00:28:42.820 So that 00:28:42.820 --> 00:28:44.100 when it says here 00:28:44.100 --> 00:28:47.519 that there will be no unclean, 00:28:48.320 --> 00:28:50.180 what does it say, 00:28:50.340 --> 00:28:51.840 the unclean shall not pass over it, 00:28:52.200 --> 00:28:53.880 that is not so much a comment 00:28:53.880 --> 00:28:55.900 on a specific type of person, 00:28:56.360 --> 00:28:57.460 but rather people 00:28:57.460 --> 00:28:59.200 who have disqualified themselves 00:28:59.200 --> 00:29:00.480 in their pride 00:29:00.480 --> 00:29:02.100 and not have embraced 00:29:02.100 --> 00:29:03.960 the gospel message of Christ. 00:29:06.539 --> 00:29:07.940 And this gift 00:29:07.940 --> 00:29:09.600 that God is giving us, 00:29:09.660 --> 00:29:10.860 it will not expire, 00:29:10.859 --> 00:29:12.439 it will not get tarnished, 00:29:13.019 --> 00:29:14.699 there will be no going back 00:29:14.699 --> 00:29:16.099 to a life of slavery. 00:29:17.240 --> 00:29:18.579 I'll just wrap up with this. 00:29:19.619 --> 00:29:20.599 The thing about 00:29:20.599 --> 00:29:22.519 a spiritual journey 00:29:22.519 --> 00:29:24.079 or a journey to find meaning 00:29:24.079 --> 00:29:24.919 and purpose, 00:29:25.119 --> 00:29:26.519 belonging, etc., 00:29:26.519 --> 00:29:28.979 is that all too often 00:29:28.979 --> 00:29:30.839 the journey almost becomes 00:29:30.839 --> 00:29:31.539 the destination. 00:29:31.539 --> 00:29:34.339 we're forever journeying, 00:29:34.339 --> 00:29:35.420 we're forever looking, 00:29:35.420 --> 00:29:36.740 we're forever striving, 00:29:37.319 --> 00:29:39.879 we're forever trying to better ourselves, 00:29:40.000 --> 00:29:41.019 but we're never arriving, 00:29:41.279 --> 00:29:42.960 we're never finding the end 00:29:42.960 --> 00:29:44.159 to our journey. 00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:48.740 verse 10 tells us 00:29:48.740 --> 00:29:50.500 that there will be a time 00:29:50.500 --> 00:29:51.400 where we do arrive. 00:29:53.000 --> 00:29:55.200 That all of the difficulty, 00:29:55.740 --> 00:29:56.800 all of our hopes, 00:29:57.000 --> 00:29:58.120 all of our desires, 00:29:58.740 --> 00:29:59.980 they will be met, 00:30:00.440 --> 00:30:02.980 and that the strivings, 00:30:03.100 --> 00:30:03.779 the journeying, 00:30:04.340 --> 00:30:05.000 it will end. 00:30:05.000 --> 00:30:07.059 And it will end in, 00:30:07.339 --> 00:30:08.539 not disappointment, 00:30:08.980 --> 00:30:10.759 but in absolute glory, 00:30:11.519 --> 00:30:12.099 gladness, 00:30:12.279 --> 00:30:12.759 and joy. 00:30:13.160 --> 00:30:14.000 If you 00:30:14.000 --> 00:30:17.079 have picked up, 00:30:17.920 --> 00:30:18.619 Isaiah 35 00:30:18.619 --> 00:30:20.519 begins and ends 00:30:20.519 --> 00:30:22.559 with the same thing, 00:30:23.079 --> 00:30:24.200 with gladness 00:30:24.200 --> 00:30:26.440 and with joy. 00:30:27.400 --> 00:30:28.880 Verse 1 and verse 10, 00:30:28.980 --> 00:30:30.779 gladness and joy. 00:30:30.779 --> 00:30:34.859 This is what awaits 00:30:34.859 --> 00:30:36.099 those who put their trust 00:30:36.099 --> 00:30:36.579 and hope 00:30:36.579 --> 00:30:38.079 in the one true God. 00:30:38.680 --> 00:30:40.359 This is what Jesus came to do. 00:30:41.319 --> 00:30:43.139 God did not say to us, 00:30:44.259 --> 00:30:45.099 journey forever 00:30:45.099 --> 00:30:46.139 until you reach me. 00:30:47.019 --> 00:30:47.299 He says, 00:30:47.460 --> 00:30:48.680 I will journey down 00:30:48.680 --> 00:30:50.139 and I will meet you 00:30:50.139 --> 00:30:50.819 where you are at. 00:30:52.000 --> 00:30:53.960 I will build a home for you. 00:30:54.220 --> 00:30:55.259 So when Christ goes 00:30:55.259 --> 00:30:56.539 back up to heaven 00:30:56.539 --> 00:30:57.660 at the ascension, 00:30:59.000 --> 00:31:00.680 he sits at the right hand of God, 00:31:00.680 --> 00:31:01.600 this is what we affirm 00:31:01.600 --> 00:31:03.420 in our creed, 00:31:03.500 --> 00:31:04.799 but it says also 00:31:04.799 --> 00:31:05.539 that he is forever 00:31:05.539 --> 00:31:06.640 interceding for us 00:31:06.640 --> 00:31:07.620 and he himself 00:31:07.620 --> 00:31:09.240 tells his disciples 00:31:09.240 --> 00:31:09.900 and tells us 00:31:09.900 --> 00:31:10.519 that he is making 00:31:10.519 --> 00:31:11.360 a home for us. 00:31:12.980 --> 00:31:14.640 Our homeless feelings, 00:31:15.080 --> 00:31:15.980 our lack of place 00:31:15.980 --> 00:31:16.620 here on earth 00:31:16.620 --> 00:31:18.400 will find its fulfillment 00:31:18.400 --> 00:31:20.360 because Christ himself 00:31:20.360 --> 00:31:21.060 has gone to make 00:31:21.060 --> 00:31:21.820 a home for us. 00:31:22.279 --> 00:31:23.840 But first he came down 00:31:23.840 --> 00:31:24.400 to earth 00:31:24.400 --> 00:31:25.660 and even though 00:31:25.660 --> 00:31:26.980 he was born to Mary 00:31:26.980 --> 00:31:27.779 in Bethlehem, 00:31:28.620 --> 00:31:29.460 he had no home. 00:31:29.460 --> 00:31:30.700 He had no place 00:31:30.700 --> 00:31:32.160 to lay his head 00:31:32.160 --> 00:31:34.240 and Christ was homeless 00:31:34.240 --> 00:31:35.120 so that we could have 00:31:35.120 --> 00:31:35.799 a home with him. 00:31:36.779 --> 00:31:37.779 So to conclude, 00:31:38.500 --> 00:31:39.460 the chapter ends 00:31:39.460 --> 00:31:40.140 with gladness, 00:31:40.299 --> 00:31:40.960 joy and singing 00:31:40.960 --> 00:31:43.279 and I will just say this, 00:31:43.819 --> 00:31:45.420 this is not a lesser life. 00:31:46.340 --> 00:31:47.079 This is not 00:31:47.079 --> 00:31:50.220 a subpar plan B 00:31:50.220 --> 00:31:51.980 but this is life 00:31:51.980 --> 00:31:53.160 and life to its fullness. 00:31:54.140 --> 00:31:55.240 This is what the Lord God 00:31:55.240 --> 00:31:56.559 is inviting us to. 00:31:57.019 --> 00:31:58.579 A desert that blooms, 00:31:58.720 --> 00:32:00.000 a highway of holiness 00:32:00.000 --> 00:32:01.160 that is unmistakable 00:32:01.160 --> 00:32:03.279 and a life eternal 00:32:03.279 --> 00:32:04.559 marked by joy, 00:32:04.839 --> 00:32:05.799 holiness and gladness. 00:32:06.420 --> 00:32:07.000 Let's pray. 00:32:08.880 --> 00:32:09.680 Father in heaven, 00:32:09.880 --> 00:32:10.720 we thank you 00:32:10.720 --> 00:32:11.319 for the incarnation. 00:32:11.720 --> 00:32:12.220 We thank you 00:32:12.220 --> 00:32:13.599 that Christ came down 00:32:13.599 --> 00:32:16.500 to live 00:32:16.500 --> 00:32:19.200 and experience 00:32:19.200 --> 00:32:20.720 all that there 00:32:20.720 --> 00:32:22.500 was to experience 00:32:22.500 --> 00:32:23.880 in the human condition 00:32:23.880 --> 00:32:24.420 including 00:32:24.420 --> 00:32:25.680 this feeling 00:32:25.680 --> 00:32:26.359 of homelessness. 00:32:28.019 --> 00:32:28.559 And Lord, 00:32:28.599 --> 00:32:29.059 we thank you 00:32:29.059 --> 00:32:30.299 that he conquered death, 00:32:31.079 --> 00:32:33.059 he brought us 00:32:33.059 --> 00:32:34.299 out of slavery 00:32:34.299 --> 00:32:34.940 to sin, 00:32:35.400 --> 00:32:36.579 that he completed 00:32:36.579 --> 00:32:37.660 the second exodus 00:32:37.660 --> 00:32:39.660 and that our future 00:32:39.660 --> 00:32:40.779 secure in him 00:32:40.779 --> 00:32:42.640 is one of joy 00:32:42.640 --> 00:32:43.640 and gladness 00:32:43.640 --> 00:32:44.680 and holiness, 00:32:45.240 --> 00:32:46.180 singing and song, 00:32:46.820 --> 00:32:47.200 merriment, 00:32:47.880 --> 00:32:49.160 all the joys of life. 00:32:49.900 --> 00:32:50.300 Lord, 00:32:50.380 --> 00:32:50.860 help us to 00:32:50.860 --> 00:32:52.340 this last, 00:32:52.620 --> 00:32:53.779 these last few days 00:32:53.779 --> 00:32:55.060 leading up to Christmas 00:32:55.060 --> 00:32:58.120 to prepare our hearts 00:32:58.120 --> 00:32:59.680 to rightly receive Christ 00:32:59.680 --> 00:33:01.320 as he comes 00:33:01.320 --> 00:33:02.740 in human form, 00:33:03.440 --> 00:33:03.940 fully man, 00:33:04.060 --> 00:33:04.500 fully God, 00:33:04.640 --> 00:33:06.040 to save us 00:33:06.040 --> 00:33:07.360 from ourselves. 00:33:07.820 --> 00:33:08.620 to save us 00:33:08.620 --> 00:33:09.100 from sin, 00:33:09.279 --> 00:33:09.720 to save us 00:33:09.720 --> 00:33:10.140 from death. 00:33:10.880 --> 00:33:11.660 We pray all of this 00:33:11.660 --> 00:33:12.720 in his mighty name. 00:33:13.320 --> 00:33:13.560 Amen.