God's Kingdom Has A Road Leading to Blessings

Scripture: Isaiah 35:8-10

A highway will be there, a roadway,
And it will be called the Highway of Holiness.
The unclean will not travel on it,
But it will be for him who walks that way,
And fools will not wander on it.
No lion will be there,
Nor will any vicious beast go up on it;
These will not be found there.
But the redeemed will walk there,
And the ransomed of the Lord will return
And come with joyful shouting to Zion,
With everlasting joy upon their heads.
They will find gladness and joy,
And sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Insights: We conclude the thirty-fifth chapter not with a statement like “The Kingdom WILL . . . ,” but with a present tense opportunity.  These verses are really the presentation of the gospel.  God is offering to all the world the opportunity to walk the Highway of Holiness.  The unclean will not travel on this road and the only way we can be clean is to receive Jesus’ gift of salvation and allow Him to impute His holiness into our lives.  When we receive this gift of eternal life, our lives are filled with joy and worship is the natural byproduct.  Notice the continual language of salvation found in these verses as it calls those born again in Jesus as having been redeemed and ransomed by the Lord.  Also, notice the futuristic promise of Jesus’ second coming when it states He will return.  Every bit of today’s verses is an invitation to receive God’s gift found in Jesus.  It is very simple to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior.  You must admit you are a sinner and that Jesus truly is God’s Son.  You must believe in your heart that Jesus really did die on a cross for your sins and rose again on the third day.  Finally, you must confess Jesus as Lord of your life and repent of your sinful ways.  If you will do this, then Jesus promises to enter into your life and to make you a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).  It is my hope and prayer that if you do not have a relationship with Jesus that today will be the day you begin this journey of faith with the only One who can save you from your sins.  If you reject His offer of grace, then you will spend eternity separated from His love in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:15).  If you receive Jesus, then you spend eternity with Him in Heaven and what a day of rejoicing that will be!

Questions:

1.  Are you walking on the Highway of Holiness?

     2.  If you have not received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, what is holding you back?

Prayer: Father, Thank You for the gift of salvation found in Your Son, Jesus.  He enables me to walk the Highway of Holiness because He has made me clean.  May the joy You have given to me be seen by others as they watch me worship You, my Lord and God.  May my worship bring You honor and glory.  Amen.