July 24, 2015: SOAP #2059

Scripture: Isaiah (NIV) 40:3 A voice of one calling: “In the desert prepare the way for the LORD, make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. 5 And the glory of the LORD will be revealed…

Observation: One would think that the prophet Isaiah had witnessed the building of some of our highways. Our modern vehicles of today would not get very far on the first trails made by wheeled vehicle pulled across our nation by oxen. Modern vehicle require modern roads. Great earth-moving equipment was used to lower high places and raise the low places and make the rough places smooth. Explosives were used to break up large boulders. But now one can drive in 3 days what it took 5 months to drive 150 years ago.

I do not believe the prophet Isaiah was speaking of highways for motor vehicles. I believe he was speaking of a time when many people would need a quick, safe way to get into the Kingdom of God.

Application: Today many people travel the road marked “Leon.” God wants to take down the high places of pride in my life so that people will keep their eyes on Jesus. God wants to build up the low places of discouragement so that people will not have to slow down as they move closer to the Kingdom. God wants to smooth out the rough places in my life that might cause others to get off course. With my help, it should not take people as long to arrive at my location as it took me.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, make my life a super-highway over which people can easily travel to reach the throne of God. Amen