Prepare the way

Today as we look at John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus, many of us are familiar with the picture of him as the voice crying out in the wilderness. (Isaiah 40:3)

This photo shows the Judean desert by the Jordan river – where John would have been preaching.  “Make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God” is not a literal road but something far greater – as John pointed out.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths.”  

The people of God are to acknowledge Him, and the paths we are directed to walk on are where He would have us go – direct and not wandering all over the place.

Being “called to trust Him” means we are called to be confident in Him even when we don’t fully understand what He is doing in a particular situation.  If we are finding it hard, God is not slow to put signs of encouragement along the way – and if our eyes are on Jesus, we can see them.  We are also blessed in that we have God’s Spirit, guiding and encouraging us, as we prepare for Jesus’ return.

 - David Havill