Promise: The Peace of Assurance

Introduction

As we enter our second Sunday of the Advent season. I would like to remind you that this season is not one of only preparation but also peace. We are watching and waiting on our coming King. Isaiah paints for us the future that God brings. A transformed world where deserts sing and the redeemed walk in safety. That vision is not only future; it gives us assurance now. I would like for us to draw from our passage this morning three themes to keep our hearts steady this Christmas season.

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10

Preparation of our Places - His Promises Restores the Wounded: (vv.1-2) Isaiah speaks concerning the “Transformation” of Israel. A holy way is made. Just as God will one day transform Israel and the whole world, His promise rearranges the entire environment of our lives.

His Promise gives Purity - God purifies the place of our pain

His Promise gives Provision - God provides water in our wildernesses

His Promise makes Preparation - God prepares a highway of holiness for our path

These truths remind us of a neglected garden after a season of drought. Then the gardener returns, digs, waters, tills and life returns slowly but surely. God is the gardener of grace who brings dormant ground to life. Advent reminds us that the God who transforms the wilderness to a garden and His coming is near!

Today, examine your personal deserts. Ask God to help you identify one “dry” area in your life. It may be a broken relationship, an area of grief, or an addiction of some kind. Trust God’s promises of purity, provision and preparation.

Proclaiming His Presence - His Promises Brings Courage: (vv. 3-4) Isaiah speaks now concerning the “Cause” of Israel’s transformation. It is the return of the Lord Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of Lords. Isaiah is proclaiming a command from the Lord reminding fearful hearts to be strong and not to fear, because our God will soon return. The promise of the Lord’s return is the antidote fro dread.

The Proclamation of Return - Always speak the Lord’s return!

The Penalizing of Fear - Always counter fear with truth!

The Pointing to His Promise - Always point others to the sure promises of Christ!

We are reminded of a lighthouse keeper who lights the lamp during a storm doesn’t calm the sea, but the beacon gives the sailors courage to steer through. Isaiah’s voice proclaiming the Lord’s return becomes our beacon in anxious nights.

Practicing His Peace - His Promise Produces the Redeemed: (vv.5-7) Isaiah tells of the “Result” of Israel’s transformation. Picture if you will healed bodies, open eyes and ears, a highway where the redeemed walk and sorrow flees. Peace here is not merely absence of conflict but the flourishing of redeemed life.

Our Participation in His Redeeming Work - Through proclaiming the gospel and walking in the Spirit we are participants in Christ’s redeeming work leading others to the Saviour.

Our Preservation in His Holiness - Our standing and position is declared righteous. We are preserved in the Holiness of Christ, waiting for His coming and our full redemption.

Our Providing Ourselves a Sign of His Coming - We are living signs to others concerning Christ’s coming kingdom. How we live is what they see! To many, our lives are the gospel.

A surgeon does more than stop bleeding; he restores function. So does Christ’s coming restore full human flourishing: sight, hearing, speech, motion, and joy. Advent invites us to anticipate and participate in that restorative work now! How?

Serve the hurting

Practice hospitality

Train joyful habits

We must bridge assurance and expectation. Isaiah’s language links present assurance with future consummation. The imagery reassures us: God does not merely promise, He acts. Advent is therefore both comfort and call. Comfort because God comes; call because His coming changes how we live.

4. Permitted into His Presence - His Promise Produces Rest (vv.8-10) Isaiah completes the prophecy with the “Highway of Holiness” opened to restored Israel and all the redeemed.

Set Apart Street - Isaiah shows a highway called the Way of Holiness — distinct, deliberate, and distinctively divine.Short thought: Holiness starts with separation. God’s presence requires a sanctified road, not a casual lane. We are invited to live differently so we might enter intimately.

Safety and Security - The wicked are not permitted; only the redeemed walk there. The way protects those who travel it. God’s presence shelters the forgiven. Security in His presence is rooted in His justice and our redemption, not our merit.

Swift Salvation - The ransomed shall return, coming with joy and everlasting gladness. This way leads to rescued hearts. Salvation changes direction — from exile to encounter, from sorrow to singing. The journey toward God is also the arrival of God’s saving work in us.

Sight Restored - The lame shall leap, the blind shall see, the deaf shall hear — a procession of restored lives. Entrance into God’s presence renews the whole person. Holiness doesn’t numb life; it heals and heightens it so we worship with whole hearts.

SingIng with Saints - Joy and gladness shall be the companions of those who walk this way. Presence produces praise. The pathway ends in a gathered community — a chorus of those who have been permitted in. Our personal holiness matters because it prepares us to join the universal song.

Steadfastly Sanctified - No unclean thing may pass; only those obeying God’s law of love can travel it. Holiness is both gift and response. We are made fit for the road by grace and kept on the road by obedience — humble, holy, and hopeful.

Personal Application

Which “lane” am I walking today — the ordinary road or the Way of Holiness?

What needs to be surrendered so I may be permitted into His presence?

Where have I experienced restoration that points to God’s nearness?

How can I help others find and walk this sacred street?

Concluding Invitation

We must respond to the promise!

For those who have not yet trusted in the coming Saviour: Today is your invitation! Confess Jesus Christ as the Son of God trusting His redemptive and complete work on the cross, receiving Jesus today and begin to live in the way of holiness.

For those who are discouraged or fearful this morning: hold fast to God’s word through the prophet Isaiah. The Lord is soon to come! Be strengthened and fear not.

For the redeemed who are doing God’s work: live as signs of the promise. Heal, feed, welcome, and proclaim so other may know the road that leads to Zion!