God Makes Barrenness Whole
BRD REFLECTION 2025
Isaiah 35 and Psalm 119:137-144 (NIV)
(David Blakely, Wesley Counselling Services)
READ:
Isaiah 35:5-7, Psalm 119:137-144 and Matthew 11:2-5 (NIV)
Matthew 11:2-5 (NIV)
When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples [v3] to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” [v4] Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: [v5] The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.”
OBSERVE:
As I read Isaiah 35 and looked at the commentaries, I found it spoke of God’s reassurance to Israel that He would restore their barren land after the Assyrian invasion. Additionally, this passage is a foreshadowing of the restoration that we have received in Jesus.
One commentary highlighted the parallels between Isaiah 35 and Jesus’ response to John the Baptist’s doubts while he was in prison (Matt 11).
All of us at times feel alone, beaten, broken and internally barren. We have doubts about God, our faith and ourselves. At such times, Jesus reminds us of His past and ongoing restoration of us.
APPLY:
Parts of my life and inner world become barren as I, at times, stop including the Lord. In this barrenness, sin grows, and I become distant from God because it is easy to quietly live a life apart from God. However, I am convicted today to look at my life and acknowledge that I need God’s love and grace to be present to restore every part of my life as I learn to repent and daily depend on Him.
DO:
First, I need to be able to look at my own life to see why I feel barren or uncertain. The Assyrians were attacking Israel because of her sinfulness and distance from God. In the same way, I need to look at myself and ask where I have allowed myself to become barren and distant from God.
Second, I need to bring myself back to God to ask in Jesus’ name for His healing and restoration. Jesus teaches me to bring my burdens to His cross for healing and restoration. I need to continue to trust in His truth.
PRAY:
Lord, You are an amazing Saviour. You redeemed Israel again and again, and You redeem Your people, the church, again and again. Forgive me for having allowed parts of my life to be barren. I acknowledge this before You, repent and ask for Your healing. Thank You, Lord, for being my Saviour. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
