A Prepared Heart Follows God’s Path

Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – July 7, 2018

This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: ‘A voice of one calling in the desert, “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.”   Matthew 3:3

There is a preparation of the heart that is needed to move from the wilderness of fear to the garden of God’s grace. Outside of Christ we are all in our own wilderness, the feeling of detachment from God and His goodness. However, in His presence is a paradise of peace and comfort. So prayerful followers of Jesus continually prepare for the Lord to sup with them in the sanctuary of their souls. You prepare in anticipation of His presence.

How do you prepare for Christ’s coming out in your life? For example, you may be in a financial wilderness. If so, seek the wisdom of the Bible regarding managing money. Perhaps you create a spending plan; if necessary, downsize your lifestyle to lower expenses; and maintain, even increase, giving. Sometimes it is necessary to seek help from a seasoned financial manager, one with objective advice and strategies for your season of life.

Your wilderness may be related to a hard issue that has been ignored but now needs addressing. Because communication has not been clear, each party has created his or her own reality around conflicting expectations. Take time to get everything out in the open, and talk through a process that works for everyone. A relational wilderness isolates you from the intimacy you need with others and with the Lord. Intimacy is united, not divided.

Most of all, make sure prayer has prepared a path for the Holy Spirit to lead and direct your life. Consider prayerful goals that can guide your life over the coming months. Collaborate with your spouse at home and your colleagues at work to come up with the best plan and a process for its ongoing implementation. For example, leave the wilderness of bad eating habits to the accountability of well-prepared meals of healthy foods. This takes time and money, but the dividends literally pay off for a lifetime.

Lastly, how is your heart? Is it tender to the things of God? Is the Scripture sustenance for your soul? The weeds of unbelief can create confusion, but the luscious, green grass of God’s grace gives you an inviting place to practice His presence. His presence is your shelter in the wilderness of man’s unseemly ways. Thus, prepare the way for the Lord, and you will travel well together.

“In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues” (Psalm 31:20).

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