For the Joy Set Before Us

Reflections from Isaiah: Enduring for the Joy Set Before Us

As I study of the book of Isaiah, I am struck again by the description of Isaiah and his message. Isaiah spoke from personal experience in the throne room of God. He had both experience and divine revelation—divine insight into impending judgment, yet also words of comfort and hope for future redemption.

Prophetic Voices and the Example of Jesus

I cannot help but think about the prophetic voices released over the years that I have walked with the Lord. Many have spoken from the soul realm—either offering only promises of blessing or, on the other side, painting only pictures of doom and gloom. Jesus Himself experienced the same realities we face—the highs and the lows, the encouragements and the sufferings. The harshest of these was the agony of the cross, which He endured because His focus was fixed on the joy set before Him—the joy of knowing that we would be His. And because He endured, He is now exalted and seated at the right hand of the Father.

Grace to Endure Trials

God is doing a new thing on the earth. For this new thing to be released, the old must pass away. He is so faithful, kind, and loving that He gives us grace to endure even the catastrophic events of His judgment—just as He gave His Son grace to endure the cross, He gives us grace to endure. That judgment is not only for the wicked who are committed to evil, but also for God’s people who have grown lukewarm or fallen into sin. Yet, to those who hold fast to their faith, He promises His glory.

I remember entering my first marriage with a promise from the Lord that my marriage would glorify Him. Once the honeymoon ended, the hard work of our covenant relationship began. I remember countless prayers and many tears as I begged God to change my spouse. I looked everywhere for escape from the pain. And yet, just when I was most desperate, I would encounter the Lord in incredible ways, receiving the grace to persevere.

The Scriptures became my comfort. Philippians 4 taught me to be anxious for nothing, but in everything through prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving to present my requests to God. 1 Peter 4:12 reminded me not to be surprised at the fiery trials that came to test my faith. Though I begged the Lord for dramatic interventions, He often allowed even more intense trials. And in those trials, I suffered greatly. But in the end, I was changed for the better.

Allowing the Lord to Transform Us

That is why I can now see myself reflected in so many today—those who long for deliverance from painful circumstances, who want someone else to change, who seek dramatic encounters with the Lord, or even angelic encounters like the ones experienced by Joshua, Isaiah, or Mary. We want the bad guys to lose and the good guys to win. Yet in praying for others to change, we can lose sight of our greater need: to allow the Lord to change us first. Instead of examining the sins of others, we must begin by examining our own lives, repenting where needed, and submitting to His transforming work.

So let us press on toward the high calling of Christ. Let us turn inward and allow the Lord to transform us. My prayer is that we would be strengthened by the joy of the Lord, anchored in the experience of His love, and refreshed by the kindness of His mercy. For His promises remain yes and amen.