November 28
Candace Duclos

(1) Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. (2) Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins. (3) A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert 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, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
Isaiah 40:1-5

In reading this passage, verse 3 gave me pause. At first glance I thought, “Well, this is talking about John the Baptist and how his ministry prepared the hearts of many for the coming Messiah.” However, as I looked a bit deeper, it occurred to me that this verse is relevant today when I find myself in my own wilderness. Places where I feel alone and left out or think that no one has ever experienced what I am going through. Verse 3 does not say, YOU got yourself to this wilderness, YOU figure out how to get back to ME! No. This verse says, “Make straight in the desert a highway for our GOD.” HE is coming to me and possibly bringing reinforcements because it says a highway. How exciting is that to ponder?! I need to take comfort in the fact that my Savior will rescue me and in doing so others will see His glory.

The Christmas season is such an exciting, beautiful, hurried time in our year. However, we may also find ourselves in a wilderness. We may be facing any challenge that seems impossible or feel that we are alone. Let us take comfort from Isaiah’s word. HE is coming to you. Your valleys will be raised up and your mountains made low.