QT 8 Sep 15, Isa 35:3-6, God offers to the faithful something better than life can give

Isa 35:3-6 (ESV) Strengthen the weak hands,

and make firm the feeble knees.

4 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."

5  Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,

and the ears of the deaf unstopped;

6  then shall the lame man leap like a deer,

and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.

 For waters break forth in the wilderness,

and streams in the desert;

NOTE: I love this passage. Isn't that how we feel when life seems broken--anxious hearts? And the message is "be strong, fear not, …, He will come and save you." But who does that apply to? Is it a verse that anyone can take? The passage is directed toward Israel during dark days of Israel's history--probably the siege of Jerusalem by Sennacherib, which follows this chapter. But it also fits a common motif in scripture that is used again and again, and even finds itself in the NT, "do not be anxious about anything, but in all things, make your requests known to God. And the peace of God, which is beyond understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." This NT passage and the OT passage seemed to be aimed at the faithful believer who is undergoing a difficult time in life. A faithful believer can also be an unfaithful believer who repents and seeks God. God allows our status to change quite quickly. But repentance must be real and God is not tricked by feigned repentance. And to the believer, God promises peace to protect our faith. He does not necessarily, at least in the NT verses, offer salvation from the circumstance. But the passages do imply, he offers something far greater and far more important. Something that gives life and does not seep life from you--streams in the desert. Oh Lord, give us your streams. Help us to live for your peace.