The wilderness and the dry land will be glad; the desert will rejoice and blossom like a wildflower. It will blossom abundantly and will also rejoice with joy and singing. 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. Isaiah 35:1–2
For centuries we have been fascinated with the idea of creatures from other plan- ets visiting our planet. From cave-wall scratchings to last week’s internet posts, we have been taken with the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Surfing through our television channels or news feeds tonight, we might even come across a black-and- white movie from the 1940s featuring bright lights from heaven and dazed people standing helplessly in cornfields, staring skyward.
It’s almost as though we want to be visited from outer space, but we’re frightened at the thought that these creatures might show up!
One of the words the Bible commonly uses to describe the light celestial visitations throw off is “glory.” Remember the shepherds watching their flocks on the night Jesus was born? “And the glory of the Lord shone around them” (Lk 2:9; emphasis added). And the response when people see this glory is always the same. “When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man” (Rv 1:17), the apostle John said about this glimpse of the Son of Man’s spectacular glory.
When God visits our planet and He sees the shock etched on our faces, He always says the same thing. The angels said it to the shepherds. Jesus said it to John in Revelation 1. And as we read today, Isaiah said it to the gawking Jews: “Be strong; do not fear!” (Is 35:4).
Have you ever wondered if anyone should be afraid and why we shouldn’t dread God’s glorious visit? The text gives us a clue.
“Be strong; do not fear! Here is your God; vengeance is coming. God’s retribution is coming; he will save you” (v. 4).
Those who are ready, who are living for His call, should not be worried. Those whom God has already pardoned need not be concerned about His vengeance or His retribution. If this describes you, He has no score to settle with you. Since you have already “seen” Him, His coming will be glorious. It will not be frightening news.
If, on the other hand, you haven’t met Him, if you only know about Him but do not know Him, this would be a good day to personally connect with the Almighty.
“Father in heaven,” you could pray. “I’m not ready for Your visit because I have not confessed my sinfulness to You and I’m not living for You. I need to experience for myself the forgiveness of my sin through the gift of Your Son, Jesus. I confess my sin and welcome Your grace. Now, please help me live in the light of Your presence, to know You and to live a life that honors You. Thank You. Amen.”
If you prayed this prayer, you need not fear bright lights in the sky or open cornfields again. No checkout tabloid will make your heart beat faster. The fact is that our planet has been visited. You know this for sure because you just talked to the Visitor, and He told you not to be afraid. You did what you were told, and He saved your life.
Good for you.