Today's Scripture
Soon Isaiah 40:1-5
Comfort, O comfort my people,
says your God.
2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and cry to her
that she has served her term,
that her penalty is paid,
that she has received from the Lord’s hand
double for all her sins.
3 A voice cries out:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
5 Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all people shall see it together,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
RJ's Devotion
WHAT DOES THE PASSAGE say?
V. 1-2 The time has come. God is now presenting the message of hope to the Israel people. However, this message continues to all generations.
V. 3-4 A prophecy regarding how John the Baptist will prepare the way for the Lord.
V. 5 Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed.
What Does the passage Mean to Me/US?
This is a familiar passage regarding John the Baptist. When the Pharisees approached John and asked if he is the coming Messiah, he said,
“I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,
‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’”
as the prophet Isaiah said (John 1:23, NRSV).
If we, however, limit this prophecy to point out John the Baptist’s ministry, we are missing the point of the message.
God is willing to bring the hope to the world. The chosen people, who had the mission to carry out the hope denied God’s command.
Now, they are on a path of restoration, and God wants them to get back on their feet, ‘preparing the way of the Lord.’
Then God promises how God’s glory will shine on the world.
As we are walking through the journey of Advent, not only should we prepare our hearts for the king, who is coming, but we also need to be the voice crying out for people to make the same preparation.
Prayer
Lord, I am eager to see your coming. Come in my heart, first. I prepare for your coming in my entire life. I also pray that my life will be used to be a voice crying out for your time. May you be glorified as your people follow your will. In Christ Name, we pray, AMEN
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