Go Out In Joy, Led Forth In Peace

“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.  Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.  This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed.”

-Isaiah 55:12-13

Has life got you unglued and unraveled?  You’ve heard clearly what the Lord wants you to do and are actively pursuing it with all your might, walking in full obedience according to his perfect will.  Now the attacks from the enemy have ensued and have left you worn out from the ever-constant battle!  You cry out to the Lord in desperation to help you, but it feels as if you are fighting this battle all on your own!  You just don’t know if you have any more strength to fight!  All this opposition from the enemy keeps throwing doubt and confusion into your mind, making you think maybe you heard the Lord wrong on this one – maybe you just need to do something else for the Lord instead!  In all this struggle, you are left wondering where your peace has moved to!  You’re thinking about just handing in the towel and calling it quits.  Then you flip open your Bible to read a comforting, reassuring promise from the Lord that says: As you continue along this path, you will go out in joy and be led forth in peace!  The mountains and hills will burst into song before you and all the trees of the field will clap their hands!  There will be rejoicing and celebration over what you are doing for the Lord!  It will not go unnoticed, but will be richly rewarded!  Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.  What you have sown for the Lord will produce good all around you…  No longer will there be thorns and briers that prick you, but myrtles to refresh and delight you!  You might be crying and mourning over the pain and struggles that you feel right now in this world, but soon and very soon you will be going out in Joy, led forth by the Lord in perfect Peace!