12/14/25

WK 3 Advent 25 - Joy

Isaiah 35:1–10 NIV

The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God. Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it. No lion will be there, nor any ravenous beast; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, and those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

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I. From Desolation to Celebration (vv 1-2)

Isaiah 35:1–2 NIV

The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God.

The wilderness blossoms; the desert sings.

Joy is God’s creative response to despair.

Even barren places are not beyond His renewal.

Joy is obvious/it can’t be faked.

II. Strength for the Weary (vv 3-4)

Isaiah 35:3–4 NIV

Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.”

“Strengthen the weak hands… say to those of fearful heart, Be strong!”

Joy often begins as encouragement in the midst of exhaustion.

-Joy is the byproduct of hope and peace.

—> knowing that God is incontrol, cares for you, and living in that relationship create an attitute of joy.

III. Signs of Redemption (vv 5-7)

Isaiah 35:5–7 NIV

Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.

The blind see, the deaf hear, the lame leap, the mute sing.

Physical imagery mirrors spiritual renewal.

Jesus later echoes this text in His ministry (Luke 7:22).

—> when Jesus heals people there are obvious signs —> leaping dancing sharing thankfulness

IV. The Highway of Holiness (vv 8-10)

Isaiah 35:8–10 NIV

And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it. No lion will be there, nor any ravenous beast; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, and those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Joy has direction — God’s people are going somewhere.

The redeemed travel together, singing.

Everlasting joy crowns their heads — joy that can’t be stolen.

V. Application – Rejoicing in the Journey

Where do we see God bringing life out of barrenness?

Gratitude is the doorway to joy.

Joy is contagious — let the church sing in the desert!

Conclusion:

Joy is not escape; it’s evidence that God is at work.

Even in the wilderness, the people of God sing.