Isaiah 9:2-4, Isaiah 29:18-19, 51:1-11
Memory verse: Isaiah 51:11 - “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.”
Song: Singing in the Victory, Austin Stone Worship
It rains a lot in the Northwest. Most of the time, it’s not a downpour but a steady drizzle, and days can pass without the sun appearing. Grayness and gloom consume our days in the winter months, and I often find myself forgetting what it’s like to feel the sun on my face.“This is it,” I think to myself, “it’s going to rain every day for the rest of my life!” Eventually, the seasons shift, the sun returns, and the Northwest returns to life again. Although the cycle happens every year, I often forget the seasons truly shift because my environment blinds me. If we’re unaware, the same can happen in the seasons of our walks with Jesus.
The good news is that we can experience joy in the Lord that surpasses seasons and circumstances. As we look at the book of Isaiah, it’s undeniable that the Israelites clung to this same joy.
In the time surrounding Isaiah’s prophecy, the Israelites lived in constant oppression during the Assyrian Empire. Everywhere they looked, hardship awaited, and destruction was surely coming. Yet, in their seemingly hopeless circumstances, they still had hope. What words or pictures do you see used to describe the joy available to the Israelites in these passages? Take a minute and write down what you notice.
A few that I notice are enduring (51:6), fresh (29:19), increased (9:3), and everlasting (51:11). But how, in the midst of such mighty oppression, could the Israelites possibly hold onto joy?
The Israelites clung to joy by remembering who God is, what He’s done, and what He promises. As you read these passages in Isaiah, take note of these things.
Who God is
Powerful (9:3)
Victorious (9:4)
Comforter (51:3)
Redeemer (51:11)
Everlasting (51:6-8)
What He’s done
Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and the quarry from which you were dug (51:1)
Look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah who bore you (51:2)
What He promises
Great light (9:2)
Increased joy (9:3, 29:19)
To break the yolk of his burden and rod of his oppressor (9:4)
Complete victory over all enemies (9:4)
The blind shall see, the deaf shall hear (29:18)
Comfort and restoration (51:3)
Assured salvation (51:6)
The ransomed shall be returned (51:11)
Although it wouldn’t be until about 700 years later that the promise of the coming Messiah would be fulfilled, they held fast to the promise that He WAS coming. They rejoiced in hope, knowing God’s word holds true and He keeps His every word.
As we await the day Jesus returns or calls us home, we can cling to this fresh, enduring, everlasting joy and be reminded of it the same way the Israelites were. We can rejoice in knowing who God is, that He is a promise keeper, and that His character is unchanging. Ultimately, we can remember the promise that He will return the ransomed to Himself and that He has made way for that through Jesus, the Messiah. He has broken the yolk of his burden and the rod of his oppressor (Isaiah 9:4), declaring complete victory over all enemies, and the cross is proof of that.
Take a moment to pause and remember who God is. Recount His faithfulness and praise Him for it. Remember where you came from, how you have been saved and set free, and how He has provided for you and made Himself known. Remember what He promises and sit with the truth that God is trustworthy and keeps His word. Ultimately, remember the gospel that we get to share in the victory of Christ, and let that truth saturate your hearts and minds.
