Joy of the Redeemed

Yes, I know whole chapters are quite the package, but this is such a beautifully descriptive passage.  (In fact, I might have posted this before, but it struck out to me again!)

Isaiah 35

The desert and the parched land will be glad;
the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.
Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom;
it will rejoice greatly and shut for joy.
The glory of Lebanon will be given to it,
the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;
they will see the glory of the LORD,
the splendor of our God.

Strengthen the feeble hands,
steady the knees that give way;
say to those with fearful hearts,
"Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come,
he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
he will come to save you."

Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
Then will the lame leap like a deer,
and the mute tongue shout for joy,
Water  will gush forth in the wilderness
and streams in the desert,
The burning sand will become a pool,
the thirsty ground bubbling springs.
In the haunts where jackals once lay,
grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.

And a highway will be there;
it will be called the Way of Holiness.
The unclean will not journey on it;
it will be for those who walk in that Way;
wicked fools will not go about on it.
No lion will be there,
nor will any ferocious beast get up on it;
the will not be found there.
But only the redeemed will walk there,
and the ransomed of the LORD will return.
They will enter Zion with singing;
everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Gladness and joy will overtake the,
and sorrow and signing will flee away.

~Vicki

Morning Praises

Recently, our family has started using Psalms for the praise section in our morning prayers.  It was my turn to lead today and I picked Psalm 66:1-7, but the whole chapter is amazing.

Shout with joy to God, all the earth!
Sing the glory of his name;
make his praise glorious!
Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds!
Sp great is your power
that you enemies cringe before.
All the earth bows down to you;
they sing praise to you,
they sing praise to your name.

Selah

Come and see what God has done,

how awesome his works in man's behalf!

He turned the sea to dry land,

they passed through the waters on foot -- 

come, let us rejoice in him.

He rules forever by his power, his eyes watch the nations --

let not the rebellious rise up against him.

Selah

Praise our God, O peoples, 

let the sound of his praise be heard;

he has preserved our lives 

and kept our feet from slipping.

For you, O God, tested us;

you refined us like silver.

You brought us into prison

and laid burdens on our backs.

You let men ride over our heads;

we went through firer and water,

but you brought us to a place of abundance.

I will come to your temple with burnt offerings

and fulfill my vows to you --

vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke

when I was in trouble.

I will sacrifice fat animals to you

and an offering of rams;

I will offer bulls and goats.

Selah

Come and listen, all you who fear God;

let me tell you what he has done for me.

I cried out to him with my mouth;

his praise was on my tongue.

If I had cherished sin in my heart,

the LORD would not have listened;

bu God has surely listened 

and heard my voice in prayer.

Praise be to God,

who has not rejected my prayer 

or withheld his love from me!

Isn't it great? :D

~Vicki