Streams in the Desert {Part 3}

Quietly Attend

I love this word, “Behold.” It’s used often in the Bible. It serves as a signpost. In our language and culture, it would be like a neon sign or writing in all caps; if it were an emoji, it would be something like this: ✋❗.  “Behold” is meant to make us pause. To stop and pay attention to what is about to be communicated. It had to do with quieting people in the presence of someone or some event of importance. 

“Behold, your God will come…” 

Truly, that is the most important event in all of history. God Himself was coming, as sure as the sun rises. And if we are not careful, we could breeze right past that incredible reality. We must pause. Feel the import and weight. Quiet down the clamor of your heart, and attend to the promise: God will come, and that is enough.

God often used “Behold.” It is as if He were wildly waving His hands, saying, “You don’t want to miss this! Pay attention! Something important is going to be said! Don’t be distracted by your circumstances or thoughts or conversations… quiet, and listen!” Look at these verses, and notice what follows each use of “behold”:

“Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and His arm rules for Him; behold, His reward is with Him, and His recompense before Him. He will tend His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in his arms; He will carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.” (Isaiah 40:10-11)

“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:19)

“The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’” (John 1:29)

“And He who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’” (Revelation 21:5)

When we stop and attend, when we quietly behold, it transforms us from the inside out. What has been bent in us from sin begins to straighten. Our understanding of God shifts, and that changes our perspective.

The Reward of God

Isaiah 35:4 says three important things that it is calling us to behold:

1. God is coming with vengeance.
2. He is coming with recompense.
3. He will come and save.

Let’s consider the first two statements. In our language, “vengeance” doesn’t sound incredibly comforting. Vengeance is twisted and bent by humanity, but when it is wielded by God, it means something much different. One commentator says this: “In the Old Testament, the concept of “vengeance” has a positive connotation…“vengeance” has to do with lawfulness, justice, and salvation.” 

God is mercifully, wisely, patiently bearing with the effects of sin in His creation. But justice and salvation from wrongdoing will come. There is a two-fold element in this promise—a “now and a not yet” —in Christ. Salvation has come. And when Christ returns, the entire world will be made new, and the injustices and atrocities of our world will be accounted for. 

God is also bringing His recompense. That word means “reward, wage, or benefit.” God will not only set all of His creation aright, but He sees every person and gives what is earned to individuals. If you are not in Christ— meaning, you have not repented of your sin and trusted that Christ’s life, death, and resurrection as the only way you can have peace with God— then your “reward” is frightful indeed. It’s a painful desert-barrenness that spans all of eternity.

But for those who are in Christ, who have faith in His shed blood to save them, the reward is great! The eternal reward is pictured in Isaiah 35:8-10 as living in safety and abundance:

“And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. 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.”

There is a great future reward. But what about living in the now? What reward is there now, when your womb is empty or your child is buried? Behold these truths, beloved:

“You keep Him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3)

“Even to your old age I am He, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.” (Isaiah 46:4)

“I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him and his mourners, creating the fruit of the lips.” (Isaiah 57:18)

“For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.’” (Isaiah 57:15)

“For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,’ says the LORD, who has compassion on you.” (Isaiah 54:10)

Reflect

• What fears or anxieties are you facing right now?
• Review the verses about “beholding.” Write a brief character sketch of God based on those verses. 
• Are you comforted or alarmed by God bringing His recompense? Why?
• List one or two things you can do to behold God in your day to day life.

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Erin Cushman is the founder of Hope Mommies. She is married to Blair and has four children: Gwendolyn, who has been with Jesus since October 20, 2010, Malacai, who is three, Gemma, born in June 2015, and Baby Cush. She loves photography, gardening, cooking, reading, playing with her children, and especially loves when all those things combine.

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