Isaiah 40: 3--5 The voice of on crying in the wilderness: :Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low; the crooked places shall be made straight, and the rough places smooth; the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken." --NKJV
In the name of the Lord, amen.
"Come down off of your high horse!" "He was born of low estate." "Do you need your spirits lifted?" "She's flying high." Whether it's pride, humility, depression, or elation we think in terms of up and down. So, when God gave Saint Isaiah a prophecy about the preparation for the coming Christ, He used those terms as well. Because of Christ Jesus, many who are humble in heart and feeling the weight of sin would be lifted up because of the knowledge of forgiveness. Others who are proud in heart would be humbled. Those who are totally carefree and unaware of sin would be brought to a sober mind, and those who despair over sin would be given joy.
This prophecy began in John the Baptizer's day, and that voice still cries out to us, "Repent and be baptized!" The prophecy will be complete when Christ returns and everyone together sees His glory. Listen to the voice of the Baptizer. It is far better to receive Christ with humility and be lifted up by Him, than to meet Him in arrogance and be brought down. On the other hand, may your spirit be full of joy because Christ Jesus came to free us from guilt. Amen.
Prayer: Dear Lord, You are the One Who is worthy of honor and glory and praise, yet we often try to take that honor, glory, and praise for ourselves. Keep us from walking before you in arrogance. Give us a spirit of humility and soberness that sees the sin in our lives, yet lift us up with joy because the guilt of sin has been taken away. We ask this to the glory of Your holy name, amen.
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