Preparing the way

When I worked in civil construction, it was quite common for people to wonder why the job was taking so long in the early stages of a project. And then towards the end of the project, they would be amazed at how quick everything was. This was simply because most of the work in the early stages was under the ground if it was a subdivision, or ‘preparing’ the ground if it was a road. I’m sure we’ve all been frustrated at times when a new road takes so long to complete, particularly when it involves the inevitable speed limits, lane closures, and detours. Then we are overjoyed when it opens and we have a quicker and more efficient route to wherever we are going. We love the end result, but the preparation phase is always painful.

Using the analogy of building a highway, the Scriptures say, ‘Let every valley be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; and let the rough ground become a plain, and the rugged terrain a broad valley’. Isa 40:4. This speaks prophetically of the work and ministry of John the Baptist. As Isaiah prophesied, John was sent to prepare the way of the Lord. He was a voice crying in the wilderness, making smooth in the desert a highway for our God. Isa 40:3. John was bringing a word to prepare the hearts of all those who were willing to listen. His message was clear. ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Matt 3:2. The first step in every season of preparation is to repent. Repentance simply means ‘to turn’. It means that we turn from our futile ways of life and we turn to the Lord.

In the words of Jesus, there is a kingdom that has been prepared for all believers. It is an everlasting kingdom in which we will reign with Him for eternity. However, before we can inherit such a kingdom, we must be ‘prepared’ for it. Speaking of our resurrection body and glorious inheritance in the new heavens and new earth, Paul said, ‘He who prepared us for this very purpose is God’. 2 Cor 5:5. In the broadest of terms, our entire life should be preparing us for the age to come. Nevertheless, we need to fulfil the ‘very purposes’ of God in this lifetime as well. Like King David, we are serving the purposes of God in our generation. This means we will encounter many seasons of preparation.

Often we do not understand why certain things happen in our lives. What we do know is that the ways of the Lord are far higher than our ways. Everything that happens is preparing us to receive the word of the Lord. And more than this, we are being prepared to fulfil His ‘very purpose’ and become compatible with His ways. We are being changed from glory to glory. This is the way of the Lord. The apostle Peter proclaimed, ‘In this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you’. 2 Pet 1:11.

David Baker

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Feature Articles
June 2009

The love of God

Preparing the way

Unrestrained lips

Redeemed to be sons

As for me and my house

Sweet fellowship

Effective households

Freedom

Setting goals

Pray without doubting