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- Isaiah 55:12-13
You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever.
What we look at shapes what we look for.
If that’s the case, there’s a natural next question: What are we looking at?
Our response to that question shapes everything.
It explains why some people can have no substantial difficulties, yet still be miserable. They despair from a lack of God’s life-bringing word in the flood of other words. It also explains why people who regularly encounter God’s word can have chaotic-looking lives, yet remain filled with joy and peace.
Isaiah tells us God’s word in exile brought His people to encounter singing mountains, clapping trees, and fruitful junipers and myrtle in place of thorns.
Beyond that:
In wandering, it brought people to a Promised Land.
In the belly of an enormous fish, it brought Jonah to pray.
In Babylon’s culture, it brought Daniel steadfast faithfulness.
In chains, it brought Paul a freedom that eluded people living without them.
And in the Christ-follower, it can be an everlasting sign in the lives of those we encounter.
With all that in mind, we must ask ourselves: Will we look at that word?