January 24, 2026
“Say to those who are fearful-hearted, ‘Be strong; do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you.’” – Isaiah 35:4 NKJV
”And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads, they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” –Isaiah 35:10 NKJV
Road map to Rescue
Isaiah 35 verses 4&10, together, tell a complete story. They are a road map from despair to unspeakable joy.
Verse 4 starts with the crisis: the weakness of our fearful heart. From there, it travels to the intervention by God and the command to “Be strong, do not fear!”
Verse 10, is where the transformation from a “fearful-hearted” victim to the “ransomed of the Lord” happens. We are saved from our fearful heart; saved and brought back by Christ and given a crown of joy. We grab hold of the joy and gladness God offers. This new situation in our lives make the “sorrows and sighing” flee because they no longer have a place with us.
Say it Loud:Breakdown of Isaiah 35:4&10
“Say to those who are fearful-hearted:” In the original Hebrew language, “fearful-hearted”, literally means “hasty of heart”. This describes a heart that is fluttered with agitation, anxiety, and worry. It is the heart of one who can see nothing in the future but darkness and despair-a “wilderness” of “wild beasts” (fear and evil) ready to pounce. Those of us who feel completely overwhelmed-that’s who this verse was written for.
The word “say” is the most important word in this line of Isaiah 35:4 NKJV. It is a command from God; it’s not up for negotiation. The word “say” implies something said out loud-not whispered or thought about. God wants the fearful-hearted to hear it.
If we know anything about fear and worry, is it’s a great deal of noise in our heads. It is all competing to be heard. It’s all the lies of the enemy and what if’s leading us into despair because no one is “saying” anything different. God’s command to “say” must be loud enough to be heard over the “noise”. So, yes, say it loud-scream it if you have to. Only the word of God can keep the other voices at bay.
The Immediate Rescue
”Be strong, do not fear!:” This is the second command from God in Isaiah 35:4. He is telling us exactly what to say. Be strong and do not fear the racing in your head. This command, again, not a suggestion, is not up for debate and we don’t have to think about it. It just needs to be said-loudly.
The difference in God’s commands are that they have “divine empowerment”. That means it has “divine power” to cast out fear and voices. As the words are spoken, in God’s name, we gain the ability to follow the command. We become able to not fear. It is, in my opinion, like a gift from God-the ability to “be strong” regardless of what’s going on in our soul.
Coming with Vengeance
”Behold, your God will come:” This is a promise of Personal Intervention. God isn’t sending an angel/messenger. He is coming Himself to stand with us, regardless of the “mess” or “pit” we’ve gotten ourselves into.
With Vengeance and recompense: In this context, God isn’t angry with us. He’s coming with passion and all His power to fight against those things that oppress us. His coming is about “divine justice”, not about harm. He is going to display a “holy, measured, and righteous judicial response.” That means He will right the wrongs, punish the “bullies” of our soul (fear and oppression), and repay our losses with calm comfort.
Take note, the verse doesn’t say that our circumstances and problems will immediately vanish. It means God will come to us, not sit at a distance, in heaven, while we struggle. He will get personally involved in the rescue “process”. The rescue is a process and the battle will be fought with the strength of God. Our part in the battle is to make conscious choices. We must intentionally and consciously decide not to let the “bullies” in. We must believe with all that is in us, that God loves us, wants what’s best for us, will give us strength when we are weak, and will fight the battles we can’t.
”He will come and save you:” This is the “pull-out” from the pit we’ve found ourselves in. He will not watch and wait for us to figure a way out on our own. He is right there, supporting us and holding our right hand (1/ /26 post). He is the undefeated champion, so I like our odds.
If Isaiah 35:4 is the rescue from “the pit”, then Isaiah 35:10 NKJV is the restoration and the path back home.
The Permanent Restoration
”And the ransom of the Lord shall return:” To be “ransomed” means that someone else paid the price to set us free. We are the ransomed and, in our case, Christ is the One who paid for our freedom. He suffered excruciating pain-pain that should have been ours. He took the sins of the world upon Himself and paid the ultimate price. Christ’s death, which was the penalty for sin (Romans 6:23 NKJV), took us out from under our sin, made us forgivable, and righteous before God. We are no longer slaves to sin, fear, or anxiety. Don’t let Christ’s death be in vain by still being held captive by fear.
Forever Homecoming
”And come to Zion with singing:” The ransom was the restoration and this is the homecoming. Zion is not just a hill in Jerusalem. Zion is where God is. Because of the sacrifice of Christ, we will, forever, dwell in the eternal home of the Most High God. Singing represents a celebration-even in death, the singing is a celebration. A celebration of the soul returning home or of the life they lived. We will be where God is, celebrating with song.
Crown of Everlasting Joy
”With everlasting joy on their heads:” In ancient times, people wore garlands or crowns of flowers on their heads in times of great celebration. I can’t think of a greater celebration than being in the presence of God-Zion. The crown we receive isn’t one of the flowers that will die. It’s a crown of “everlasting joy”, implying the celebration never ends. The new crown is a victory crown-victory over the sorrow and suffering we have been in for years.
Now days, crowns are worn by royalty-we are royalty. While Christ is the King of Kings, we are co-heirs in His royalty. Scripture describes followers of Christ as being: “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9 NKJV) and “kings and priests” (Revelation 1:6 and 5:10 NKJV).
The crown of joy given to us by God is more than an internal feeling. Like the ransom, we have our crowns because of what was done for us on the cross.
Joy and Gladness Are Ours
”They shall obtain joy and gladness:” The word “obtain” implies a reaching out or taking hold of something. We need to actively reach out and take the joy and gladness offered by God. This is part of our intentional choices I mentioned. He is offering, we just need to take hold of it and claim it as our own.
No More Sorrow
”And sorrow and sighing shall flee away:” This is the last promise in Isaiah 35:10. It is a total reversal of our human condition. Can you imagine a day without sighing? Without sorrow that isn’t based on our circumstances? Grief and being overwhelmed are shown as running away because of the joy and gladness we grabbed hold of. They no longer have a home in our heart-a heart that they once flooded with despair. The promise is that they will flee because there is no place for them in the presence of God.
Devotional-God Makes A Path in Isaiah 35
When the “fog” of depression and fear is thick and the “stuff” of life seems like a pathless wilderness, our hearts become “hasty”. We get into a mindset of worst-case scenarios being the only outcome for our situation-drawing black conclusions. Since we can’t see a way out, there must not be one. Isaiah 35 is God’s way of clearing the fog and making a path in our wilderness-the “Highway of Holiness” (Isaiah 35:8-10 NKJV).
Erasing the “Black Conclusions” of a Hasty Heart (v.4)
In the NKJV, God speaks directly to the “fearful-hearted”. In the original Hebrew language, fearful-hearted is a heart that’s racing-a heart that is so panicked that it jumps to the worst possible outcome as the only outcome.
When we are in a “hasty” fearful state, we assume the wilderness we are walking in is our final home. We conclude that the struggle will never end. God interrupts those thoughts with a command:“Be strong, do not fear!” Why? Because He is coming. He’s not sending a messenger to represent Him; He’s coming Himself. He is coming with vengeance and “divine recompense” to settle the score with the anxiety that has been tormenting us.
The Final Eviction:When the Sighing Must Flee (v.10)
God doesn’t just stop the panic; He completes the rescue-the “pull-out”. He promised that the “ransomed of the Lord”-those who have accepted what Christ did on the cross-would return with singing.
Think about the sighing we do when we are overwhelmed. It’s that thick, exhausted breath that comes when we feel defeated. Isaiah 35:10 says that God’s joy is put on our heads like a crown and that “sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” The scripture is a spiritual eviction. In the presence of the King, the “black conclusions” of the pathless wilderness are not only proven wrong-they run away in fear.
The “Out Loud” Command
Step 1: The Declaration (The Command): Isaiah 35:4 doesn’t say “think” to the fearful-hearted; it says “say” to the fearful-hearted. When your mind is racing, your own voice can be the most powerful tool to break the cycle of anxiety. Speak the truth of God’s coming rescue into the room until your heart begins to believe what your ears are hearing.
When panic sounds loud you have to speak louder. Use the “Command Speak” to talk to your soul directly.
Say it with authority: “Be strong heart! My God is coming to rescue me!” This shifts your focus from the problem to the rescue.
The Breath of Strength
Step 2: “Replacing the sigh with Savior”. We often sigh when the weight of the world feels too heavy to carry. A sigh is your bodies way of saying “I’m overwhelmed”. Today, turn those involuntary releases of pressure into voluntary intakes of grace using breath prayers. Instead of letting the air go in frustration, use your breath to tie or bind your racing mind and heart to the One who rescues.
A breath prayer is simple. As you deeply “inhale”, imagine everlasting joy and peace. While you do this, call on God’s name or a promise. As you “exhale” slowly, release the sorrow and sighing. God has promised it will flee away.
Breath Prayer Examples from Isaiah 35
- Rescue Breath: (Inhale) “Lord, You are here…” (Exhale) “…You come to save me.”
- Strength Breath: (Inhale) “Be strong my soul…”. (Exhale) “…do not be afraid.”
- Crown Breath: (Inhale) “Everlasting joy…”. (Exhale) “…is my crown.”
Don’t worry about the “perfect” words. There is no set script-these are just to get you started. Whether you use the words above or your own simple cry for help, He hears the heart behind each breath.
A Final Charge:The Highway is Secure
You don’t have to be paralyzed by a “hasty heart”. While the “fog” of your current season feels like a pathless wilderness, Isaiah 35 promises that a Highway has been built specifically for you. You are the “ransomed of the Lord”, and the price for your peace has already been paid in full. Stop looking at the “lions” of anxiety that roar from the sidelines; They are not allowed on this path. Keep your eyes on the One who is coming to save you. You are moving toward a day where your sighing will be a distant memory, replaced by a crown of everlasting joy that you will wear forever.
Stick Note Minute: “My sighing is fleeing;my joy is staying.”
Giving Glory to God
All glory belongs to the Lord, our Mighty Rescuer, who turns our dry desert into blooming gardens. We praise You, Father, for being the One who sees our fearful hearts and says, “Be strong!” We give You glory for the promise that our sorrows and sighing must flee when You arrive. Thank You for the “Highway of Holiness” and for the ransom that secured our place in Your presence. Let our lives reflect the joy of the redeemed as we walk home to Zion with You.
AMEN
Lord, I thank You that You are coming to save me. When my heart is “hasty” and racing with fear, remind me that You are already on the way with Your divine recompense. I trust You to lead me along the Highway of Holiness, away from the pit and toward the singing. I choose to obtain the joy and gladness You have promised and I thank You that my sighing will flee in Your presence. In Jesus’ Holy Name I pray, Amen.
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