17 “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth;
And the former things will not be remembered or come to [n]mind.
18 “But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create;
For behold, I create Jerusalem for rejoicing
And her people for gladness.
19 “I will also rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in My people;
And there will no longer be heard in her
The voice of weeping and the sound of crying.
20 “No longer will there be [o]in it an infant who lives but a few days,
Or an old man who does not [p]live out his days;
For the youth will die at the age of one hundred
And the [q]one who does not reach the age of one hundred
Will be thought accursed.
21 “They will build houses and inhabit them;
They will also plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
22 “They will not build and another inhabit,
They will not plant and another eat;
For as the [r]lifetime of a tree, so will be the days of My people,
And My chosen ones will wear out the work of their hands.
23 “They will not labor in vain,
Or bear children for calamity;
For they are the [s]offspring of those blessed by the Lord,
And their descendants with them.24 It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear. 25 The wolf and the lamb will graze together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox; and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will do no evil or harm in all My holy mountain,” says the Lord.
Well, this is an interesting passage, as it seems to speak of a time here on earth. For these people will live to be a hundred, but definitely still mortal. Otherwise, one might think this to be a prophecy of life in heaven, with great rejoicing, nor more weeping, and no crying. Some commentators suppose that Isaiah actually describes two different time periods here.
The first would be life in heaven, after Satan is vanquished once and for all. Then it is followed by a description of life in the millenium, or the thousand year reign of Christ which follows the rapture and the tribulation period. That would make sense, but it’s possible it all describes the millenium. Either way, it is all in the future, and speaks of hope for a better future, a future which God has promised will happen.
In this description, God speaks to our present sorrows, things which do indeed cause weeping and crying. There are children who die, and young men cut down in their prime (v. 20), houses taken over by strangers, and fields enjoyed by thiefs (v. 21). All these things, and more, we know and see today. We can take comfort in knowing the cares of this life will not last forever, but there is one promise that isn’t just in the future.
In v. 24, God says “before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear.” So it is today, that God knows our every need. That doesn’t mean we don’t ask, but that God is ready and waiting at all times. He hears what we say before we say it, and has an answer before we pray. God doesn’t have to sit back and say, “Well hold on a minute, give me time to think about that…”
Rather, God sees exactly where we are, knows our deepest needs, and is ready when we call. And no, a million dollars isn’t your deepest need… When you go through trials, and we will all see our share of them, lean on God, call out to Him. God will walk with you and provide exactly what you need, every step, every day. He’s listening, and waiting, something we should do more also. Take your burdens to Him, and rest in His care.