Preparing the Way for the Lord (Lu 3:4-6)

Today is a catch up day, but yesterday's reading was Luke 3 and John 1.

Context: The king was coming to His people. The expectant people showed honor to the king by constructing a highway that was as direct, straight and obstacle-free as possible. They expected His arrival and made necessary preparations.

1. The Lord is King. The King wants to come to His people. Why does He delay His coming? Preparations aren't complete. Patiently He withholds His coming so people can be prepared and ready (2 Pet 3:9).
2. The Lord is greater than the obstacles, but He tells us to remove them. Removal will be by His power and our obedience. Don't look for God to fill the hole. You must exert yourself and fill it one shovel-full at a time. Don't sit around expecting God to blast your mountain. Do what He tells you. Exercise faith (Mt 17:20-21). There are rough edges to be smoothed. Submit to the Word as His Spirit stimulates Fruit in you (Gal 5:22-23). There are things only the King can do and there are things only you can do. Once the Lord has told you what to do, He will not override your will and do it for you.
3. At some point, the King will come. He will come whether you're expecting Him or not. He will come whether you're ready or not (Mt 24:44).

Are you living in such a way that you're sure the King will come for you? Make today a further time of preparation. What do you need to start? Continue? Stop? How can you be a "voice" (Lu 3:4) to help prepare others?