Isaiah 35:1-3 - The Blooming Desert

A couple years ago, while visiting our daughter and son-in-law in Phoenix, we went for a hike in Piestewa Peak Park. There are other parks (Tetons, Glacier, Banff, Yellowstone) that grab your attention immediately with majestic vistas, mountain lakes and lush vegetation. This is not that kind of park. From the parking lot, you can see rocky cliffs and Pietswa Peak. Below the cliffs, occasional saguaro cacti break the monotony of dull green shrubbery. 

But this was March. Start hiking the trail, and you're rewarded with a spectrum of colored blossoms: flaming red, bright yellow, vibrant purple. Beetles, bees, and butterflies flitted from flower to flower, feeding on the nectar. A landscape that appeared dull and dead at first glance was full of life and beauty. Even the cacti and desert plants had lively shades of green: emerald, lime, sage, chartreuse.

That hike was an appetizer of when God makes a new heaven and new earth. Isaiah describes it this way:

"1 Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days. The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses. 2 Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy! The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon, as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon. There the Lord will display his glory, the splendor of our God. 3 With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees." (Isaiah 35:1–3, New Living Translation, 2015) 

When Isaiah says, "with this news," it is not about something that has taken place already, but something that will yet take place in the future. We can be strengthened with the hope of renewed life, encouraged with the promise of beauty yet to come.

Father, when life is a desert, seemingly dry and lifeless, renew our hope with the promise of Your Kingdom yet to come. Open our eyes to see glimpses of Your beauty, reminders that You will renew the face of the earth (Psalm 104:30), for the sake of Your glory. Amen.