Isaiah has been calling us to trust in the LORD for our salvation. In chapter 34 he spelled out, in graphic detail, what will become of everyone who refuses God’s salvation and buys into this world instead. Now in Isaiah 35 we are shown what will become of everyone who banks everything on the promises of God. The you that you are becoming now is what you will be forever. And if that sounds frightening, there is good news. Thankfully, God can intervene, liberating us from the habit of self-focus to become all that He made us to be. By the grace of God, our broken lives, once barren and dreary, can finally abound with joy and singing. The whole chapter is a song of rejoicing, for salvation (both now and in heaven) is more than just not sinning; salvation means delighting in God’s glory and majesty. Christ Himself becomes the true desire of our hearts, for in Him we find a fullness that satisfies forever (v 1-2). For this reason, we should help one another to seek Him, trust Him, and stay faithful to Him. Our future hope in Christ gives us courage to face whatever challenges we may face today. With hearts strengthened by the gospel, we can create an atmosphere of expectancy that brings encouragement to all: God is coming to complete our salvation and reward His faithful ones! (v 3-4). On that great and final day, our Savior will remove all our afflictions and increase all our joys. Whatever has been broken in our lives will be healed, and all our capacities for good will be fully restored. In the miracles of Christ at His first coming, we see a glimpse of heaven. But when He comes again, the whole world will be changed and every believer made new (v 5-6a). God will reverse and redeem the devastations we suffer in this life. No matter what we or others have done to spoil our joy, the Holy Spirit will renew us, breaking forth in our hearts like “streams in the desert.” In fact, nature itself will be restored, bringing glory to Christ, the wonderful Creator (v 6b-7). After wandering through this world of many confusing options, we will finally see clearly and walk confidently on “the Way of Holiness” provided by God’s grace. The path will be so obvious and so attractive that even the simplest will be able to follow it. With no dangers threatening us, we, as God’s redeemed people, will enter the heavenly Zion, radiant with joyful singing, never to mourn again. All our sadness will be gone forever! (v 8-10). The alternatives are unmistakably clear: judgment or salvation. So what is your choice? Who are you becoming, and what will be your destination? For further meditation: