Joy of the Redeemed
The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will
rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, 2 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.
3 Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; 4 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.”
5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf
unstopped.
6 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. 7 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.8 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. 9 No lion will be there, nor any ravenous beast; they will not be
found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, 10 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.
Be wise today and always - accept salvation and hope for eternity and today.