Notifications Chat(18) Isaiah 40:3-5 “Prepare ye the way of the Lord.” Divinevisitation is worth all the effort. “And the Lord visited Sarah as he hadsaid, and the Lord did unto Sarah as he had spoken. For Sarah conceived, andbare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken tohim” (Genesis 21:1,2). When God visits, man’s worries end (I Samuel 1:18). Itis noble to invest in seeking the Lord till He comes (Hosea 10:12). DEFINITE CALLTO GUIDED PREPARATION Isaiah 40:3 Whenever God wants tovisit His people, He calls them to earnest and guided preparation. In fact, itis the expectation that determines and justifies the preparation. Divinevisitation could be for salvation, renewal, revival, healing, deliverance orother blessings. The scope could be individual, family, local or corporate. Theblessings of divine visitation are many as we can see in several scriptures.Noah was called to a long and earnest preparation for the salvation of hishousehold (Genesis 6:13,14). Abraham was called out of his idolatrousbackground in preparation for the blessing of a promised seed and the PromisedLand (Genesis 12:1). Later, he needed to prepare to sacrifice his promised son beforedivine enlargement came (Genesis 22:1-3). Jacob and his household needed to prepareto go up to Bethel for divine worship and visitation (Genesis 35:1-3). Mosesneeded to stay six days on the mount in preparation for the Lord’s presence onthe mount, and 34 other days to receive God’s law (Exodus 24:12-18). Thecongregation in the wilderness needed to prepare to see the glory of the Lord(Exodus 19:14-18). John the Baptist needed to prepare Israel for the coming ofthe Messiah (Luke 3:1-10). The disciples needed to prepare for Christ’striumphant entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-9). And later they earnestlyprepared for the Pentecostal visitation (Acts 1:14; 2:1). The point is clear:If you desire God to visit you, then you must prepare. And given our urgentneed for revival and renewal, we need to prepare too! DISCRETECOMPONENTS OF GENUINE PREPARATION Isaiah 40:4 To experience divine visitation, ourpreparation must be genuine. “Every valley shall be exalted, and everymountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight,and the rough places plain” Isaiah 40:4. This is a figure of speech. When aruler is about to visit, the way must be prepared for him to travelconveniently and speedily to reach his subjects. When we expect the visitationof the spiritual King – the King of heaven, King of kings – we need to prepareHim a spiritual highway. “For the Lord thy God walketh in the midst of thycamp… therefore shall thy camp be holy: that he see no unclean thing in thee,and turn away from thee” (Deuteronomy 23:14). The valley of uncleannessmust be exalted to holiness (Isaiah 52:11; II Timothy 2:19). Jacob and hishousehold must throw away their idols, change their strange, worldly dressingand prepare for divine worship at Bethel (Genesis 35:1-5). The mountain ofpride must be made low to humility. Self-righteousness, self- sufficiency,self-centredness, trust in riches and every attitude that exalts man above Godand His word must be repented of (James 4:6,7,10; I Peter 5:5,6; Revelation3:18-20). Crooked, sinful ways must be straightened out through genuineconfession, prayer and restitution (Luke 19:1-10; James 4:8,9). And the roughplaces of harshness, rashness, quarrelling, strife, division, etc must beironed out so God can move in our midst (Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:9). DIVINE CONFIRMATIONWITH GLORIOUS POSSIBILITIES Isaiah 40:5 God responds positively and graciously to theprepared seeker. “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all fleshshall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it” (Isaiah40:5). If we believe God, we will seek Him and His glory will be revealed untous (John 11:40). We will radiate the light and knowledge of God (II Corinthians4:6). God’s visitation brings deliverance (Exodus 3:16,17; Numbers 10:9). Famineends and God gives bread at His visitation (Ruth 1:6). Barrenness ends at God’svisitation (Genesis 21:1,2; 30:22-24; I Samuel 2:21). It brings redemption,light and righteousness (Luke 1:68-79). Miracles attest the revelation of Godsglory (Luke 7:14-16). God will turn your captivity (Psalm 126:1-4)
Posted on: Sun, 23 Jun 2013 12:10:50 +0000
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