For you shall go out [from the spiritual exile caused by sin and evil into the homeland] with joy and be led forth [by your Leader, the Lord Himself, and His word] with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Isaiah 55:12 AMPC
We are here presented with resolution and effort as our part, help, and guidance as God’s part. We “go out” and we are “led” by the Lord.
However, I think it is very important to note how this translation describes the transitioning that leads to a transformed and an overcoming life. “…go out from the spiritual exile caused by sin and evil…” Unless you realize the place from where you are expected to ‘go out from’ you may never be sure whether we have really gone out or not.
It is in conversion that we go out. Conversion is turning our back on the old life of sin and selfishness and coming out into the light of God. That is when a man emerges from a state of nature into a state of grace, from bondage to liberty, from darkness to light, from the world to Christ. It is the first step in the transition that leads to a transformed life.
The being led forth denotes the further experiences of the Christian. To a mind led and taught by God, all the changes and chances of life lend themselves to peace. At conversion you make God your Leader, therefore, He Himself is able to lead you with peace. Meanwhile, because it is He leading you, you can be sure that every hindrance will give way, even the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing.
Hence, you can experience the victorious life that is promised in the later verse:
“Large cypress trees will grow where there were thornbushes. Myrtle trees will grow where there were weeds. All this will happen to make the Lord known, to be a permanent reminder of his goodness and power.”
Isaiah 55:13 ERV
