Isaiah 65:17-25

Isaiah 65:17-25 NIV

“See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more. “Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; the one who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere child; the one who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed.

They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. No longer will they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat. For as the days of a tree, so will be the days of my people; my chosen ones will long enjoy the work of their hands. They will not labor in vain, nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the Lord, they and their descendants with them.

Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear. The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,” says the Lord.
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God continues to respond to Israel's pleas for mercy. He tells them of how he will make Jerusalem new. God will make all things new, both heaven and earth. The pain of the past will not even come to mind, for the newness of life will be overwhelmingly satisfying. There will be no tears or grief. Long life will be enjoyed by God's people. God will delight in them and make them a joy. They will not have to worry about thieves, bandits, or raiding armies taking away their land and wealth. They will enjoy the work of their hands. They will be a people blessed by The Lord.

One verse that really grabbed me was Isaiah 65:24.

Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.

The intimacy revealed in this verse is beautiful. God will not seen as far away and unable to hear their needs expressed. Like a married couple anticipates the needs of the other, finishing each other's sentences, God will answer His people's prayers before their prayers are finished. God knows His people so intimately, and is so close to them, that their every need will be fulfilled in the new Jerusalem.

The peace that will prevail over the city is described in amazing terms. The wolf will eat alongside a lamb and the lamb will not be devoured. The lion will eat straw and leave the ox unmolested. Justice will prevail for the serpent, the devil and all who follow his lies, will lick the dust as it was foretold in Genesis 3:14. No evil or evildoers will enter the new Jerusalem. The city will be free to live in utter holiness and complete righteousness.

Is this picture alluring to you? Do you desire to live unimpeded a life of holiness? Do you wish you could always please God with your choices? God has promised to make it so. Continue in your hope and move in God's direction. Know the Lord will fulfill all His promises for the new heavens and earth. May you be granted entry to the New Jerusalem in the name of Jesus Christ.