He gives songs. . .

“Say to those who are fearful-hearted, ‘Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you’. . . . And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” (Isaiah 35:4, NKJV)

This beloved passage motivated at least two contemporary songs, and it puts a song in my heart this morning. I needed it.

Sometimes God banishes sorrow that comes from unusual sources. Last night I called the family member who has been suffering from mental and spiritual problems to tell her about my husband’s medical diagnosis. Her sorrow was profound and eloquently expressed. She wants to see him, to be here, even though “I can’t do anything.” Her tears made me sad.

Bob called her again as soon as he came home. We both found that telling her this news almost as difficult as learning it ourselves. We wanted to scoop her up and comfort her. But the amazing part is the freedom we had to share our faith with her. This young person, who was entirely closed to truth over the past few months, has changed.

It started when she moved out of the place she was living (with a step-mother) and into a shared apartment. She phoned me then, even though she once said she would never talk to me again. (I’d shared gospel truth with her and she was angry.) God has been busy in her life, answering prayers for her.

This time when we talked about Jesus she listened, even saw the value of faith. We talked about the fact that everyone is terminal. Bob shared with her that we all need to be ready, to know where we stand with God. She listened.

Sometimes I pray for family and say, “Whatever it takes . . .” and know that God can produce disaster to bring someone to Himself. I also know that "whatever" might cost me personally. On the other end of the emotional scale, He reminds me of our eternal hope. He will come and save us, not necessarily from this illness and certainly not from physical death—it is appointed unto men once to die—but His salvation is from that judgment that follows death.

And what a glorious salvation it is! Isaiah 35 describes it as flowers in the desert, joy and singing, glory, excellence, strength, clarity of vision, perfect hearing, no illness or infirmity, springs of water, holiness, everlasting joy and gladness, no more sorrow.

I know where my mind will be today—singing the songs that begin, “Say to the fearful hearted . . .” and “The redeemed of the Lord will return and come to Zion . . . .”