When Christ comes back to reign for a thousand years - His millennial rule - God’s healing power will be evident everywhere. Even the ground we stand on will benefit. The book of Isaiah says that the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. The dry parched land will be glad and will be watered abundantly. The blind will see. The deaf will hear. The lame will be healed and leap like deer. Those who have been mute will find their voice and shout for joy.

Isaiah says there will be a highway there, called the Way of Holiness, leading to God’s city. Only those redeemed children of God will travel on it. Nothing will hinder their pilgrimage and they will enter the city singing. In His holy city there will be no sorrow, only everlasting joy.

How often are we hindered in our attempts to get closer to God? Distractions keep us from prayer time. Matters of daily living consume our attention. In some countries fear of death hinders open worship of our God. Healing is not complete in our world today. There is sickness. There is blindness and deafness. There are physical handicaps. There are many frightening things. There are places it isn’t safe to walk around the block, let alone on a highway into a city.

Everlasting joy, with not even a hint of sorrow, is a hard thing to imagine. As children of God now, we experience a deep inner peace—that peace given by Jesus Christ. But joy and gladness come in flashes while we deal with this yet-to-be-redeemed world. In quiet moments of prayer and not so quiet times of corporate worship we experience a glimpse of what it will be like when Jesus returns to rule the earth. At those times, we begin to imagine the experience of travel on that Way of Holiness Highway. We, the redeemed are assured entrance into His holy city because Jesus paid the price for the sin and wickedness that was ours.

We are told that until He returns we must continue to meet with other believers, to build up and encourage one another in these difficult times. (Hebrews 10:25) One day there will be no hardship, sickness or fear. There will be everlasting joy. Until that day comes, say to those who are weary, weak and fearful, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come. He will come with vengeance; with divine retribution He will come to save you.” Isaiah 35:4 (NIV) Read Isaiah chapter 35.

Be the one who builds up and encourages.
• Begin each day with time reading the Bible.
• Know the gospel story.
• Review and remember His promises.
• Sing His praises.
• Share the joy.

Also on Amazon: The second volume of the Evelynton Murder series, Heart Beat.