“A prepared heart is nourished on Scripture as sustenance for life’s journey.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – July 8, 2022
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 the Lord. Intimacy is united, not divided.
Oswald Chambers defines readiness as being prepared to do God’s will: “Readiness for God means that we are prepared to do the smallest thing or the largest thing— it makes no difference. It means we have no choice in what we want to do, but that whatever God’s plans may be, we are there and ready. Whenever any duty presents itself, we hear God’s voice as our Lord heard His Father’s voice, and we are ready for it with the total readiness of our love for Him. Jesus Christ expects to do with us just as His Father did with Him. He can put us wherever He wants, in pleasant duties or in menial ones, because our union with Him is the same as His union with the Father. “…that they may be one just as We are one…” (John 17:22).
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.
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).
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for preparing the way for my heart to rest in Your heart, so you can show me the way to go, through Christ’s love and in Jesus’ name, amen.
Application
Is my heart and life prepared to be blessed by God and to be a blessing to others? What preparation does the Lord require of me to carry out His calling on my life?
Related Reading
Psalm 50:23; Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 3:1; Luke 10:39–41; John 19:14
Worship Resource
Blessing Offor: Brighter Days
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