Devotions: Created for Gladness

 

For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth;
And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind.
But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create;
For behold, I create Jerusalem for rejoicing
And her people for gladness.
I will also rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in My people;
And there will no longer be heard in her
The voice of weeping and the sound of crying.

Isaiah 65:17-19 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

 

The book of Isaiah was written before the exile of Israel. He foretold of their destruction and captivity, but also of their return. Mixed in with God’s warnings and judgments are also encouragement and hope. We will not be punished forever. Good times will come again. These verses were foretelling, not of the return to Jerusalem after 70 years, but of the end of time, when God would utterly destroy all current creation and make them new. Then, all will be as it was intended in the beginning. Not only will there be no more sin, death or suffering, but there will not even be a remembrance of it. He will not only wipe away every tear and sorrow, but also the memory of them. Even though times are hard and dark right now, we have reason to rejoice. Better times are coming! And God will create the new heavens and earth for rejoicing! They will be made to be happy places. It also says that He creates the people for gladness. That’s us! We as believers are the people who will inhabit the new Jerusalem. We were made for gladness! The Hebrew word for gladness could also be translated mirth. God wants us to be happy. That does not mean that we should do whatever makes us happy regardless of what is right or wrong, or that happiness should be our chief end or goal in life, but God does desire for us to enjoy life within the realm of His righteousness. We will finally experience that in its fullness when we reach that new heaven and earth. At that time, God will also rejoice in what and who He has made because there will be no more sin causing sorrow and pain. Take heart! These dark days will not last. One day we will reach that new place of eternal rejoicing! God does not desire for you to be miserable. He doesn’t want your life to be hard. Live for Him, the way that He prescribed life to be lived so that you may experience a shadow of that joy He intends for us.

 

 

 

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Translations of Greek and Hebrew words taken from blueletterbible.org