Choose JoySample

DAY 24 – OVERTAKEN BY JOY

Reflection: Isaiah 35 is often titled, Joy of the Redeemed, as it poetically describes a highway for those who have been saved by God, a ‘Way of Holiness’ on which the redeemed walk back to him.

What does it mean to be redeemed? The Hebrew word ga'al speaks of the work of a kinsman-redeemer. A family member who might buy back a relative who has become a slave, or buy back family land that has been lost, or even marry a widow to preserve the family line, such as Boaz in the story of Ruth.

In this case, Isaiah looks ahead to God as our family member, buying us out of slavery, purchasing us with the blood of his Son, bringing us home to the spiritual land that represents hope and security, and entering into a covenant relationship to preserve us.

This image of God the redeemer is reinforced as Isaiah talks of ‘those the Lord (Yahweh) has rescued will return’. The word rescued is from the Hebrew padah, which means to ransom, release, preserve, redeem.

The outcome is in no doubt. This is not a reluctant purchase of troublesome relatives we’d rather forget. Or the occasional buy-back of just the very special. No, Isaiah describes the exuberant redemption of all those who are feeble and fearful and turn to him.

And having bought us back, he crowns us with everlasting joy. When the road gets hard, gladness and joy overtake us, so that sorrow and sighing are left behind. That’s God’s promise to us in Jesus. That’s the road we travel as Christians.

Choose joy: There’s a highway for the redeemed travelling through history, but there are other highways too, going to places we don’t want to go. Make sure you're on the right road. Let his redemption and ransom speak for your life again today, as you acknowledge Jesus as Lord.