Isaiah 44:1-5 says,
“Yet hear now, O Jacob My servant, and Israel whom I have chosen…’For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessings on your offspring…They will spring up among the grass like willows by the watercourses.’ One will say, ‘I am the LORD’S’; Another will call himself by the name of Jacob; Another will write with his hand, ‘The LORD’S’, and name himself by the name of Israel.”
Are you one of those who call yourself, “The LORD’S”? Have you joined yourself to the people of God? If so, then I have some great news for you! (And if not, you, too, can receive the good news!)
The news is in Isaiah 44:21-23,
“‘Remember these, O Jacob, and Israel, for you are My servant; I have formed you… O Israel, you will not be forgotten by Me! I have blotted out, like a thick cloud…your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.’
Sing, O heavens, for the LORD has done it! [Done what??] Shout, you lower parts of the earth; break forth into singing you mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! [Why??]
For the LORD has redeemed Jacob, and glorified Himself in Israel.”
I love to think that even all of nature–the skies, hills and valleys, the mountains and forests–rejoice with singing when we are redeemed by the Lord AND when He is glorified in us. For when we are redeemed, when we return to Him in right relationship, it also brings the earth one step closer to that great restoration of how it was perfect before Adam sinned.
“For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God…because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but…even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.” (Romans 8:19-23)
And, like I said, if you have not yet signed on to be a part of the commonwealth of Israel, you can! God’s love and redemption is abundant and free. “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission [forgiveness] of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:38-39) He and all His creation will rejoice together to see one sinner saved and restored to right relationship with Him!
And each one of you can sing and rejoice in the Lord along with the trees and mountains too! For when you receive His redeeming grace, He will plant you like a willow tree along a stream and pour the refreshing water of His Holy Spirit into your heart and life. He will establish you as a flourishing tree in the courts of His house (see Psalm 92:12-15). He will nurture you and comfort you and transform you into a glorious tree of righteousness. In Isaiah 61:3 the Lord promises,
“…To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”
Know that you have been chosen today! God has not forgotten you! You are His special treasure, and as He is glorified in you, even the trees will clap their hands! Doesn’t that thrill your heart? So, stand up and clap your hands in praise along with all of creation!
–dmrf