Daily Devotions
Isaiah
"Your heart shall swell with joy"
Text: Isaiah 60:5
THE HEART SWELLING WITH JOY
It has been a long time since any joy had come to the heart of Israel. It had known only misery and sorrow because of the hardship experienced as prisoners of war of the Assyrians and Babylonians. But a special joy from the LORD was promised by the LORD when He brought glory back to Israel.
“Lift up your eyes all around, and see:
They all gather together, they come to you;
Your sons shall come from afar,
And your daughters shall be nursed at your side.
Then you shall see and become radiant,
And your heart shall swell with joy;
Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you,
The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you.”
Isaiah 60:4-5
1. Things that would bring joy to the heart.
a) The returning of both sons and daughters.
b) So many had been scattered far and wide.
c) There was little reason to believe that they would ever return.
d) All Israel needed was to lift up their eyes of faith to see what the LORD would do.
2. Through eyes of faith.
a) Israel’s face would become radiant.
b) Their heart would swell with joy.
c) The work of the LORD was truly outstanding.
3. Israel would once again also enjoy the material blessings of God.
a) The abundance of the sea trade would return to Israel.
b) The wealth of the Gentiles would not be confined to them.
c) Israel would reap the benefits of trade with Gentile nations.
d) The LORD Himself would watch over His people as in the past.
e) But Israel must learn to walk with faith in their hearts.
f) They must seek to be fully restored to the LORD.