God's Kingdom Will Radiate with Beauty

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-2

The wilderness and the desert will be glad,
And the Arabah will rejoice and blossom;
Like the crocus
It will blossom profusely
And rejoice with rejoicing and shout of joy.
The glory of Lebanon will be given to it,
The majesty of Carmel and Sharon.
They will see the glory of the Lord,
The majesty of our God.

Insights:  Let me start today’s Thoughts by Scott with two quotes.  The first is from John Calvin and the second is from Warren Wiersbe.  These men stated, “After the Lord shall have punished the wickedness and crimes of men, and taken vengeance on Jews and Gentiles, the wilderness shall then be changed into a habitable country, and the face of the whole earth shall be renewed.”  The second quote is, “The wilderness will not remain a wilderness, for the Lord will transform the earth into a Garden of Eden.  All of nature eagerly looks for the coming of the Lord for nature knows that it will be set free from the curse of sin.”  I mention both of these quotes for two reasons.  Firstly, to help you see and understand that God’s radiant beauty in eternity is for all people, both Jews and Gentiles alike.  Secondly, is because I want you to understand that even natural creation is affected by God’s redemptive return in Christ Jesus.  The universe is remade into the perfection of the Garden as it ought to have been in all of eternity past.  God takes the sinful world and redeems it to glorious perfection.  In fact it is His glory that makes eternity so beautiful and radiant.  It is for this reason the prophet Isaiah references God’s glory and majesty.  In other words, all who enter into eternity with Him will see His majestic glory.  Beloved, these thought have all been in relation to our future glory, but the Father still gives us glimpses of His radiant beauty right now in this sin filled universe.  Today’s questions will help you think about God’s glorious beauty and help you reflect on His immense grace and radiance.  Beloved, I am so often overwhelmed by God’s glory that it makes my heart long for the day of eternity when I am no longer bond and battling this sin nature I presently fight.  What a day of rejoicing it will be when I see my Lord’s beauty unhindered.  I pray for the Lord Jesus to come back quickly and rescue His Bride, the Church.

Questions:

1.  God’s ultimate glory will be displayed in eternity, but in what ways have you seen God’s beauty radiating in this world ?

2.  What is your response to God’s radiant glory?

Prayer: Father, I am looking forward to the day in which I see You and Your radiant glory displayed in all of Your beauty.  Thank You for the moments in which I see this beauty dimly already in Your creation.  Amen.