Isaiah 40:3-5
A voice is calling out: In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord. In the wasteland, make a level highway for our God. Every valley will be raised up, and every mountain and hill will be made low. The rugged ground will become level, and the rough places will become a plain. Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all flesh together will see it. Yes, the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We need major construction in our continuous sinful wanderings in life’s wilderness. We live in a wasteland of sin that surrounds our lives. But just as we witness highways being built, we can observe the construction’s step-by-step progression. Some places need to be filled in; others need to be dug out. We can watch the work of front-end loaders, excavators, backhoes, and dump trucks meticulously move, layer, grade, and pack the dirt until one area is raised and another is reduced.
Similarly, our lives are not changed in an instant. Lord, guide us to recognize the depressed spots and high regions of sin in our lives. When we feel hopeless over our sins, traumatized by guilt and shame, we ask you to lift us up. Moreover, when pride keeps us from seeing the error in our ways in other parts of our lives, please help us realize this so we can dig away our sinful pride. The Holy Spirit makes those changes through faith; your construction prepares us to recognize our sins and fall on our knees, asking for forgiveness. Prepare our hearts so that we see your glory.
Only through faith in your Son do we see our sins and know that Jesus has already paid the price; he has declared us not guilty of every sin. We need Christ; He suffered on the cross for every sin. May Jesus lift and restore us when the world has thrown us down in the depression of our losses, and may he remove those stumbling blocks of pride and doubt. Lord, please make the way in front of us a level plain. Let us use our Christmas preparation for self-reflection, knowing we need restoration. Also, instill in us the courage to share this good news of your love and mercy with those who do not know you; prepare them to know and trust their Savior, Jesus. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
A change of heart can happen, but like construction, it occurs one step at a time. Rome was not built overnight; be confident in the Lord’s timing. He loves you and is continuously at work on you; by faith in Jesus, you will one day be finally home with him in heaven.