The Collection Of Joy

Introduction

Appreciate feeling well after being sick.

Relief after doing something hard.

After hardship comes joy.

Despair Turns into Joy

vv. 1-2

Context of c 34. Discipline rebellion.

Brings despair, which can feel endless.

Holding breath for TV shows or movies.

How much longer?

The picture in this verse is that first big breath of life after coming out of the dark pool of despair.

(Read verses here)

The breath comes in and brings life and when it exits, it is in song!

Joy comes with the presence of the LORD.

Isaiah 7:14 ESV

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Immanuel = God with us

Anxiety Turns into Joy

vv. 3-4

A message to those “with an anxious heart.”

How our bodies respond to a perceived threat: feelings of doom, stress (heart or breathing), irrational thoughs.

That perceived threat - it’s bigger than what you can handle.

But, something bigger is coming!

God - “He will come and save you.”

Save you = yeshua. Joshua. Jesus.

Jesus saves us by being bigger.

Bigger than what? What causes you anxiety?

He is especially bigger than your sin.

Captivity Turns into Joy

vv. 5-10

V. 10 - Zion / Jerusalem / The city of God’s presence.

Where the highway of v. 8 ends.

The ransomed - captivity to sin.

No longer being enslaved to sin brings great joy!

Romans 8:1–2 ESV

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

Jesus makes is where you can...

Leave bondage behind and accept freedom.

Conclusion

The image this passage has encapsulates a choice.

There is the desert. Lifeless. This is the total world. Physical. Social. Spiritual.

Humans have destroyed by their rebellion, enslaved to the results.

But, God in His great grace, causes it to bloom.

Restoration. Beginning in the spiritual world.