Today we looked at Isaiah 35:1-10, a chapter which talks about God’s people walking in the way of holiness. Life is often described as a journey, and one of the first names for believers was people who belonged to the Way (see Acts 9:2, John 14:6) Jesus made it plain that the path of discipleship is narrow (see Matt 7:13-14), and Isaiah is equally clear that this way of holiness is only for those who have been cleansed by God; as C. H. Spurgeon put it, you can’t enter the road by paying your own toll. You are only allowed on this highway if you are cleansed by the great work of the Messiah.’ Isaiah makes this very clear, saying, ‘only the redeemed will walk there’ (Is 35:9) and ‘The unclean will not journey on it;wicked fools will not go about on it.’ (Is 35:8)
All are invited and included in the ‘whosoever’ of the gospel, but we must choose to follow Jesus, and once we are on this road, we must continue in the way of holiness. Luke 9:57-62 shows us some of the excuses people had for not following Jesus, but we are urged to persevere in the faith. Isaiah gives us much encouragement about not being afraid (Is 35:4, see also Is 41:10,13, Is 43:1) and as God’s people, we can know the protection and help of God in every situation of life, and can see abundance replacing lack (Is 35:6-7).
We need to be reminded on our journey that we have the strong hope of the Lord to help us each day; we need the reminder that when God’s salvation comes, miraculous provision comes with it. What was dry and useless before can become well-watered and fruitful. (Is 35:1-2).
Isaiah also reminds us that we can know joy on this journey:
Jesus promised His disciples joy (see John 15:11) and God’s joy becomes our strength in all circumstances. (Neh 8:10)
To walk on the Way of Holiness is to follow Jesus wherever He leads. We are called to live as He commands, to be holy as He is holy (1 Pet 1:14-15), to continue to follow Him no matter what. Life is a journey that is not meant to be walked alone. We are called to walk with God (even as Enoch is described as walking faithfully with God, Gen 5:24); we are called to walk with each other, spurring each other on to love and good works. (Heb 10:24-25) As we walk, God promises to transform the desert into fruitful land and to give us joy and gladness. Let’s keep walking on the Way of Holiness, for this is our life’s mission. We are not yet at our final destination, but as we walk on this path, we are being transformed daily into the image of Christ, and we can wear the crown of everlasting joy and know God’s presence with us all, each step of the way.