READING FOR MARCH 17, 2026: ISAIAH 35, ROMANS 4, PSALM 23 ISAIAH 35 This is such a positive chapter about the future as opposed to God’s judgment of destruction described in Isaiah 34. Possible positive events that would have still been in the future at that time include God’s protection of Jerusalem from Assyria, the return of Judah from Babylon, the incarnation of Jesus, the millennial kingdom (for premillennialists) and hea- ven. Given the intended worldwide audience of the parallel chapter of Isaiah 34 and the seem- ing pervasive environmental impact described in Isaiah 35, this appears to be an event that our world has not yet experienced. Since it references recognizable features of this current world, it does not match what is described about the totally new heaven and earth found in Revelation 21. Thus, while there were likely some prior initial fulfillments, the ultimate fulfillment fits best with the 1000-year reign of Christ described in Revelation 20:1-6, when Satan is bound and is no longer deceiving nations.
The wonder of this period will be greater than any time since before the fall (Gen.3). The shouting for joy of the desert, the glory given to Lebanon, and majesty to Sharon and Carmel will happen because they will witness the glory of God, which apparently wouldn’t have been possible earlier. This might be what Paul had in mind: “For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liber- ated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God” (Rom. 8:20-21).
Those troubled believers just having come through the tribulation, who are exhausted, feeble, and anxious, will find encouragement in God’s coming reign (vs. 3-4). The writer of the Hebrews quotes these verses to encourage us now when facing God’s discipline: “Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed” (Heb. 12:12). Jesus paraphrased verses 5-6 as evidence to John the Baptist that He indeed was the promised Messiah, who came to die and will come again to reign: “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me” (Matt. 11:4-6).
The final verses talk about the Highway of Holiness. We might recall a road mentioned earlier in this book: “On that day there will be a road from Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrians will come into Egypt and the Egyptians into Assyria; and the Egyptians will worship with the Assyrians. On that day Israel will be the third party to Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth” (Isaiah 19:23-24). This will be a totally safe road and only those who are redeemed will be able to travel on it. Certainly, no such safe road would have been possible in history. Today, it is especially hard to believe anyone could travel this way safely. But when Jesus reigns, He will make it happen.
READINGS FOR MARCH 17, 2026 CONTINUED: ROMANS 4, PSALM 21:1-7 ROMANS 4 A world-famous author, now deceased, posted this on Facebook: “I’m trying to be a Christian…which means that, I try to be as kind and fair and generous and respectful and courteous to every human being.” We should not make any judgement about her spiritual status. What we should do, though, is carefully read Romans 4 to be certain that our understanding of being a Christian is aligned with the Bible’s. Trying to be all the good things mentioned above does not make us a Christian. WE ARE SAVED BY FAITH! We must get this right because it is the essence of the Gospel. Read each word carefully: “For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about; but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’ Now to the one who works, the wages are not credited as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness” (Rom. 4:2-5).
We are not saved by going to church, or reading the Bible, or serving the poor, or being kind to others. All these are great, but if we really think these “works” will save us, then we have no idea about Christianity. As Paul says above, if this were how to become a Christian, we would have reason to boast. The writer to the Hebrews calls this attempt at earning favor with God “dead works” (Heb. 6:1). This was exactly the approach taken by the Pharisees. How did Jesus feel about it? “For I say to you that unless your righteousness far surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:20).
Does this mean we need to find out all the good things the Pharisees did and make sure we far surpass them in doing good works? NO. Even if we could do that, we would fall far short of the righteousness acceptable by a Holy God. We need to trust in the work of Jesus. God then credits Jesus’s righteousness to our account. This is called IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS: “Therefore, it was also credited to him (Abraham) as righteousness. Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, to us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, He (Jesus) who was delivered over because of our wrongdoings, and was raised because of our justification” (Rom. 4:22-25). This is misunderstood by so many today!
PSALM 21:1-7 This Psalm acts as the after part of a before-and-after picture partnering with Psalm 20, which serves as the before picture. Psalm 20 is in the first-person plural (we) directed to David about God’s power to act. Psalm 21 is in the first-person plural (we) thanking God on David’s behalf for answering the prayers they urged David to offer to God. A touch complicated. How interesting that this group was involved in a kind of prayer triangle with God and David. Could it be a model for our church? Our church has such a group called the prayer team. It prays each day of the month for different members of our church family. Often the group prays particularly about physical illnesses, but it could pray for the spiritual battles the church or individuals face. Taking a cue from this Psalm, one feature our team might consider adding is being more intentional about thanking God for the answers and victories He provides. Insert the name of ourpastor in this prayer of thanksgiving from Psalm 21:1-2: “O Lord, in Your strength the Pastor will be glad, and in Your salvation how greatly the Pastor will rejoice! You have given the Pastor his heart’s desire.”
