Isaiah the Prophet wrote some magnificent Scripture in his day. He did so under the Guiding Hand of the Holy Spirit, I understand. But nonetheless, what a Book God left us, Isaiah’s 66 chapters, a lot of which is extremely encouraging!

For example, Isaiah 35:10. Now I’m only using the last half of the verse today, specifically because of its thrust, its power to encourage:

“They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”

Did you read that?

It is a promise,  clearly!

From God … to His people!

Earlier in the verse “they” (the recipients of this commitment) are called “the ransomed!” That means “saved!” In the King James Version: “the redeemed, delivered, rescued,” Hallelujah!

Yes … THEY shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Friend reading here today, laden with sorrow and signing … YOU are the beneficiary of this great word of hope! Being the child of God that you are.

Seems that God can give you back that “joy!”

And “gladness!”

One first one (joy) is inner delight, the other (gladness) more outward in expression!

But the real reason I was drawn to this verse today, I think, is that last clause.

“… and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”

God can (and will) take away all those tears!

Sorrow means grief, anguish!

Sighing means groaning, mourning!

“Flee away,” the verb, means “to hastily depart!”

Wow, chew on these meanings for a while.

Then you will understand why I entitled today’s Lesson … “A bright future!”

Again, for the ransomed of the Lord!

Is this promise originally prophetic, for the last days? Yes.

Is it primarily for Israel? Yes.

During the coming Millennium? Yes.

But none of those facts negate the Truth that God’s Heart is one of love and restoration and grace and mercy and peace and joy!

Here’s the nine-fold list, God as Holy Spirit: “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith (faithfulness), meekness (as in Jesus washing feet), temperance (never rash or out of control)!

God will keep this promise, not only to Israel I believe, but to all His children some day! (“To the Jew first, but also to the Greek,” the gentile!)

Ah, dear hurting (burdened) reader this morning … claim this. Believe it. Wait on it. Enjoy the possibilities of it in advance!

“They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”

Praise the dear Lord!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Someone text me if this Lesson proves helpful, strengthening to you today. My cell number is 770-844-7627. Oh, to be used of the Lord to help His children grow in grace!