“It (the desert) shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing…and they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God.” Isa. 35:2
It was the Apostle Paul, who in speaking of the love of God, wrote: “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” (1 Cor. 13:12) Of what is Paul speaking? Certainly he speaks of limitations, capacities, and yet, possibilities with a certain hope. These limitations could be numerous, and varied. They may even be the measure of grace God gives to percieve and understand things that are hidden for a purpose. However, within the limitations of spiritual capacities and one’s faith at times, there are great possibilities. These possibilities have to do with the glimpses of the glory of God, or the love of God, which the Holy Spirit unveils to us. The “tasting” of these blessed unveilings, or revelations to the heart, give to the believer a taste for heaven and home, for they are indicaitons of that which is to come, and to be known. We presently know in part, but then, when we see Christ, face to face, we shall know fully. So, there are great possibilities, with the certain hope of eternal fulness, in knowledge and the experience of perfect fellowship with God. But what about the perception of “our” limits as opposed to God’s perception? Is His perspective much greater than our own, and can we truly rise to the measure of our calling in this knowledge of God, His love, perceiving His glory?
All through Scripture the Lord is communicating to sinful man, in a world of suffering and difficulty, that there are limits to which He would take us that need to be grasped. When the Lord called Jeremiah to be a prophet to Israel, and then to the world, Jeremiah was overwhelmed by his “littleness” and incapacity to be what he was called to be. His excuse would be that he was just a “child.” To this, the Lord would respond, “Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.” (Jer. 1:7) In other words, Jeremiah’s perception of his limitations was not to be considered, for though he was helpless in and of himself, God was with Him, and would certainly carry him beyond those limitations. The denial of self, which the Lord Jesus declares to be an essential condition to following Him, means that one must forget, or turn away from oneself, to turn to Christ alone and wholly. Why? That to which the Lord has called every believer is impossible, humanly speaking. All is only possible by Christ. So then, our idea of limitations is not the issue. The calling of the believer is from heaven, and is designed so that only heaven’s resources can provide what the believer needs, when he needs it, to obey and follow Christ. It is then that the believer sees that God’s perception of what he desires and wills to do in and through the life is much greater than his perception of it.
In dealing with the nation of Israel, and specific individuals, we find that the Lord puts before them always that which is impossible to man, but possible with God. For example, he speaks of the desert blossoming abundantly, and streams in the desert. He uses this illustration to speak of the unveiling and manifestation of the glory of God in the midst of Israel. He also speaks a “highway” in the wilderness,” called “The way of holiness.” (Is. 35:8) He speaks of redemption, and the blessings of the nation returning to the Lord, specifically returning to Zion, to Jerusalem. Isaiah writes: “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.” (35:10)
Dear Father, Make us see, and to know, Thine immeasureable blessing. In Jesus’ name, Amen.