SURPRISED BY JOY[1]
By Dr Daniel Chan
Amid the twinkling lights, glittering ornaments, and bustling crowds, Christmas isn’t always a season of cheer. For many, the absence of loved ones, the pain of broken relationships, the strain of health challenges or financial struggles, and the relentless fight against sin can make the season feel anything but festive. It's not uncommon to end the year feeling weary and joyless.
But what word does the Lord offer to those barely making it to the finish line? He promises everlasting joy.
Isaiah 35, nestled between chapters of judgment and invasion, shines with hope for God’s weary people. Even as they face the pain and consequences of their rebellion, God offers a promise: it won’t always be this way. In Isaiah 35:10, the Lord promises through his prophet Isaiah:
And the ransomed of the Lord shall return
and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain gladness and joy,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
God’s people were promised a return to Zion—a symbol of Israel’s deliverance from exile in Babylon and their restoration to Jerusalem. Why? Because they had been ransomed. In Moses’ day, God redeemed them through the blood of the Passover lamb and delivered them from Egypt by His mighty hand. Here in Isaiah, He promises a second exodus. Despite their sin, God had not abandoned them. They remained His redeemed people (Isaiah 35:9). Their sorrow would give way to joy, and their sighing would turn into singing.
But Isaiah’s words extend beyond the events of 538 BC, when King Cyrus of Persia allowed the exiled Jews to return and rebuild the temple (2 Chronicles 36:22–23; Ezra 1:1–4). These verses point to a greater promise—a better hope and a glorious day still to come.
As Christians, we continue to experience sorrow and sighing (Romans 8; 2 Corinthians 4–5). We live in earthly tents as we journey toward our heavenly home. Yet, because we know something better awaits, we endure trials with hope (Romans 5:3–4). Life may be a difficult journey, but a glorious eternity lies ahead. One day, the heavenly Zion will descend (Hebrews 12:22), and we will be overtaken by gladness and joy (Isaiah 35:10, NIV).
Why can we trust in this better day? Because we’ve been ransomed with a greater sacrifice than the Passover lamb. The baby in the manger is the second Adam, born to take away the sins of the world. Yet how often do we let joy slip away, doubting that the God who sent His Son to the cross to secure our pardon will also bring us safely home (Romans 8:32)?
Not only will we experience everlasting joy, but all sadness and sighing will vanish forever. In The Lord of the Rings, Samwise Gamgee awakens with wonder: “Gandalf! I thought you were dead! But then I thought I was dead! Is everything sad going to come untrue?”
Yes. In Christ, everything sad will indeed come untrue (Revelation 21:4–5). One day, we will awaken to eternal delight. This is the hope of Christmas.
What earthly sorrows make you long for heaven even more? How can our future hope make a difference in your life today?
[1] Adapted from Advent Meditation: Surprised by Joy by Ivan Mesa, https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/surprised-by-joy/
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