Advent-Christmas Devotions
Monday, December 8
Isaiah 35:1-7
1 The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad;
the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
like the crocus 2 it shall blossom abundantly
and rejoice with joy and shouting.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,
the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the Lord,
the majesty of our God.
3 Strengthen the weak hands
and make firm the feeble knees.
4 Say to those who are of a fearful heart,
“Be strong, do not fear!
Here is your God.
He will come with vengeance,
with terrible recompense.
He will come and save you.”
5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf shall be opened;
6 then the lame shall leap like a deer,
and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness
and streams in the desert;
7 the burning sand shall become a pool
and the thirsty ground springs of water;
the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp;
the grass shall become reeds and rushes.
“… 3 Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble knees …”
During my years of ministry, I have been blessed to be able to minister to residents of long-term, eldercare facilities. From pastoral visitation to leading services, I have shared the Gospel with many and have received their love and blessings in return. Together, we have enjoyed the mutual gifts of God.
Typically, when I visited, there would be at least one resident whose arms and legs were immobilized by various maladies. From Parkinsons to victims of strokes or seizures, they always lamented their inability to use their limbs. Yet, amidst their struggles, those of faith seemed to have an enduring hope for something better. They longed for a time when their weak hands would be strengthened and their feeble knees made firm.
That is the promise that comes from Isaiah. It is the covenant God makes with God’s people through the coming of the Messiah. Rather than feebleness and weakness being forever, whatever malady that limits our bodies will be made whole in the kingdom. By the power of God’s grace and the healing of the Spirit, restoration and new life will be given.
Each time I visited a resident with weakness or feebleness born of age or disease, the hope in the promise of healing and restoration remained strong. That speaks volumes about the faith of these elders and serves as a witness to all of us.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the promise of restoration. May Your grace sustain me in times of trial, and may Your Spirit bring hope of healing to those who are weak or feeble. Amen.