As we hear Isaiah 35, we’re reminded that God speaks hope into places that look completely broken. This promise of streams in the desert and a clear, holy way was given to people facing loss, exile, and devastation—and it tells us that dryness, sorrow, and despair do not last forever. Even when we feel worn down, lost, or unsure of the path ahead, God is still at work, making a way where there seems to be none. Advent invites us to trust that joy will return, restoration is coming, and God keeps His promises. So we keep walking, even when it’s hard, believing that sorrow and sighing will not have the final word.

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Well good morning. It’s good to be with you on this Monday morning. I hope you’re doing well as we begin a new week together and continue moving—very deliberately—toward Christmas.

We are deep into Advent now. In fact, we’ve turned the corner. We’re closer to Christmas than we are to the start of Advent. Yesterday was the Third Sunday of Advent, which means we’ve got just one more Sunday in this season before Christmas arrives. It’s coming quickly.

A couple of quick housekeeping notes before we jump in. We’re continuing to use our Advent devotional guide here at St. Matthew’s. If you haven’t picked one up yet, there’s still time—though the clock is ticking. I’d encourage you to grab one while you can.

Also, just so you know what the schedule looks like: we’ll continue Rooted all this week and through Advent. I may record something for Christmas Day, but after Christmas I’m planning to take a little break—definitely the week of Christmas, and probably the following week as well. We’ll pick back up in the new year, likely the first full week of January. I’ll remind you again as we get closer, but I wanted you to have a heads-up.

Now, today’s Advent reading comes from Isaiah 35, verses 5 through 10. Let’s hear these words together:

*“Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
then the lame shall leap like a deer,
and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness,
and streams in the desert;
the burning sand shall become a pool,
and the thirsty ground springs of water;
the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp,
the grass shall become reeds and rushes.

A highway shall be there,
and it shall be called the Holy Way;
the unclean shall not travel on it,
but it shall be for God’s people;
no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray.
No lion shall be there,
nor shall any ravenous beast come upon it;
they shall not be found there,
but the redeemed shall walk there.

And the ransomed of the Lord shall return,
and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain joy and gladness,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”*

What a beautiful image.

I love that line: “No traveler—not even fools—shall go astray.”
In other words, God’s way is so clear, so secure, so filled with grace that even those who usually get lost won’t this time.

This passage is full of powerful images—streams in the desert, water in dry places, life breaking into lifeless ground. Some of you may know the devotional Streams in the Desert—it comes straight from this imagery.

I remember once traveling through the Negev Desert in southern Israel. Mile after mile of dry, barren land—and then suddenly, right in the middle of it all, greenhouses bursting with life. Produce growing where nothing should grow. It was a living picture of what Isaiah is describing here.

But here’s what really matters:
This passage was written to people who had lost everything.

Jerusalem was being destroyed.
The temple was being looted.
The people were being sent into exile.

And in the middle of that, God speaks of streams in the desert.
Of restoration.
Of a holy road.
Of joy returning.

From a human perspective, it sounded foolish. How can you talk about hope when everything is burning? How can you speak of safe passage when nothing feels safe?

And yet, God says: This will not last forever.

The dryness will not last forever.
The exile will not last forever.
The sorrow will not last forever.

And friends, sometimes we need to hear that too.

Sometimes life feels too broken to be fixed.
Sometimes relationships feel beyond repair.
Sometimes our own hearts feel dry, empty, worn out.

And if that’s where you are today, hear this clearly:
This is not toxic positivity.
I’m not telling you to pretend you’re okay.
I’m not telling you to “just be happy.”

You may need to sit in the ashes for a while—and that’s okay.

But what I am saying is this:
You will not feel this way forever.
God is not finished.
And sorrow and sighing do not get the final word.

There will be streams in the desert.
There will be a way forward.
There will be joy again.

So if today feels like too much—if you’re tired, discouraged, or barely hanging on—don’t give up. Endurance is not wasted. God is still at work, even when you can’t see it.

The ransomed will return.
Joy will come in the morning.
God has promised—and God keeps His promises.

Thanks for being with us today. Tomorrow we’ll continue with our Advent reading—I believe we’re in James next, which is always a good place to be.

Have a good rest of your day, and I’ll see you in the morning.