”Then the eyes of the blind will be opened,
and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
Then the lame will leap like a deer,
and the tongue of the mute will sing for joy,
for water will gush in the wilderness,
and streams in the desert;
the parched ground will become a pool,
and the thirsty land, springs.”
Isaiah 35:5-7a CSB
Our Lord’s ultimate desire is to restore. Yes, brokenness and dryness and desolation are realities. The chapter right before this passage testifies to this in awful ways. But this stanza seems to capture the bigger picture, a more lasting truth.
Restoration. A return to original wholeness. The reversal of disease, affliction, and pain.
It seems to begin incrementally. With blind eyes opening, perhaps slightly slowly, then passes through newfound listening, and finally ends with leaping and joyous singing.
A brewing, then brimming, then bursting forth. Like water that can’t be held back. A flash flood of power and hydration. A gush in the wilderness. And then streams and pools and springs. Life-giving. Refreshing. Lasting.
The recovery of light and sound and movement and music and praise. Overflow and rejuvenation and replenishing. Songs and springs.
This Advent let us look to the One who heals every wound and brings streams in the desert. The One who reverses every curse, restores every blessing, and renews all things!
Photo credit: Keri Lim