High ways are easy to pass through and give comfort. Just as the way of God is different from the way of man, the highway of God is different from the highway of people. The Lord's highway leads to God's presence where there is lasting peace and comfort. The requirements to pass through it are holiness, righteousness and the power of Holy Spirit. Isaiah 43:19 - I (the Lord) will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. These followings are discussed: Way of Holiness; Path to victory, and Road to Restoration.
Way of Holiness: The way of holiness brings hope and transforms life. Isaiah's prophecy of fully transformed life will come to pass when Christ returns to restore all things. That water will spring up in the desert and plants will flourish describes God's promise of restoration for His people (Isaiah 35:1-7). Strengthening of the 'weak hands' and firmness of 'feeble knees' indicate encouragement, power and ability to overcome weaknesses (sin, devil and the world) that prevent people from following God. Miraculous healing and deliverance were performed by Jesus (the Messiah) as prophesied, but complete healing and restoration of the creation will take place when he returns.
Those who have consecrated themselves for Lord's purpose will walk through the way of holiness. The unclean and evil ones will not be found in the way of the Lord (Isaiah 35:8-10). God had sent Jesus to establish the way of His holiness which leads to eternal life. All we need to obtain God's salvation is to receive Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, confess our sins , ask for forgiveness, repent and live a transformed life.
Path to Victory: Victorious living leads to life of hope and assurance - life well lived in God, the all-powerful, all-knowing and the sovereign God. He reminded people His wondrous work and awesome nature as revealed to Israel at the red sea and in the wilderness (Isaiah 43:15-18). God has the power of deliverance and victory. Therefore we should depend on Him to remove pains of the past and do a new thing he has promised to do.
God will do a new thing in our lives as we walk in His way and honour Him (Isaiah 43:19-21). His promised complete transformation of the earth and harmonised living are the prophecies that will come to pass during the millennium reign.
Road to Restoration: The Lord's Highway leads to restoration. At the time of restoration God will bring His people who are scattered at far places back to the holy city and they will not be separated from Him again. Because God kept His promises to Israel in the past, we can be certain He will keep His promises to us. He will strengthen and make us people of His salvation (Isaiah 62:10-12).
We shall not be called 'forsaken' again, but holy people, the redeemed of the Lord as we walk in the way of God, preach the gospel and lead others to Christ. We should pray to God daily, read His word and and seek to be filled with Holy Spirit to keep going through His way of righteousness. Lesson texts: Isaiah 35:1-10; 43:15-21; 49:7-17; 62: 10-12.
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