And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Have you ever had a journey that’s gone wrong? In high school, I hiked the tallest peak where I lived, Mount Washington, with a friend. We made the arduous way up with glorious sights accompanying our accomplishments. Reprieve was at the top! After rest and refreshment, we made our way back down. It wasn’t until hours later we passed a hut that we did not pass on our way up. It had never occurred to either my friend or I that there were multiple ways down the mountain, including a front side and a back side.

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Turns out, we were on the wrong side of where we parked our car. Never had I been so weary or wobbly from exhaustion, and never had I been so ill-prepared. We asked some fellow hikers who were able to help us navigate a mile around the middle of the mountain to get us back to the right trail. There is nothing that brings greater joy than knowing you are on the right path! All I could think about was the end: if I can just get to the car…we will get to the car…it will be ok…there is an end!

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When Israel’s enemies took them captive in the time of the prophet Isaiah, God’s people were desperate to know when their captivity and suffering would end. In Isaiah chapter 35, the prophet is talking about the Israelites being set free from their enemies, and he is prophesying about the coming Messiah who would set all believers free from captivity and sin.

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The book of Isaiah reads similar to the Bible as a whole. Through the beginning, middle, and end, it offers warnings of sin, proclamation of God’s righteous judgement towards his people, and a hope that God will send a savior to rescue and redeem his people back to himself.

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Isaiah offers many promises and prophecies; some of which have already happened and some we still wait for today. When the invasion and captivity of God’s people unfolded, the Israelites would have been able to hold onto Isaiah’s words. This verse would give hope and reassurance to those suffering in turmoil. As Psalm 30:5 says, “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime;” despite the exile, the judgement would not last forever. God’s people would return and rebuild their cities, just like we today hold on to the return of Jesus, who will restore all things.

Like being on the right path knowing the end will come, there is joy to be had in this promise of a future restored. There is an end, and that end will be a continual source of rejoicing and gladness. So much so, that it will not only be felt inwardly but also seen outwardly!

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As we enter into the dark season with the promise of Christ as our light, I think of all the different paths and seasons we venture on. For some journeys we are ill-prepared, while other journeys, like Mary and Joseph’s, are led only by obedience and revealed step by step.

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But this verse is a promise to God’s people, a path we cannot miss: “And a highway will be there, it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it” (Isaiah 35:8). To all who believe in the Messiah: one day we will walk into the presence of a new world with a forever God.

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Where do you find yourself this morning? On a path spinning your wheels, stressing about what needs to get done? Remember, the Lord makes all things new. There is a purpose to the path you are walking on, and eventually your journey here on Earth will end. A time will come when this world will be made new, our hearts rejoicing.

Lord, I praise you as the God who restores and makes all things new. Thank you that you hold all things together and are working your master plan right up until the end. Thank you for sending your Son Jesus, who will one day return and set all things right, forever. May I carry this promise when things seem dark, may I remember this verse when I don’t see you at work, and may the Holy Spirit give me supernatural joy to remember there is an end, full of joy and gladness.