Those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. “I, even I, am he who comforts you.” Isa. 51:11–12
Heavenly Father, this is one of the most peace-giving, hope-pregnant, joy-promising passages in the whole of your Word. And like the whole Bible, it finds its glorious fulfillment in Jesus. It affirms that, no matter what else is presently going on in our lives, you have already ransomed, rescued, and redeemed us.
And looking ahead… nothing will keep us from arriving safely Home. Our future involves being “crowned” with everlasting joy. How are we to wrap our heads and hearts around that image? We’ve been “crowned” with other people’s disappointment before, many times before. We’ve even “crowned” ourselves with self-contempt and a sense of failure. But, by your grace, love and welcome, a permanent coronation of “giddiness” awaits us. Thank you Father.
And we know what it feels like to be overtaken with guilt and shame, sadness and fear. But we will be eternally overtaken with “gladness and joy.” Our present standing in grace is going to take us eternal dancing in grace. You are so generous and kind.
We really love this promise and image… “sorrow and sighing will flee away” (not gently saunter, slowly stroll, or casually meander). They will flee, and be gone forever. Until that Day, thank you for being our “Father of compassion and God of all comfort” (2 Cor. 1:3). On this March Saturday, we bring you our hearts, hurts, and hopes. So Very Amen.
