“a voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’” ~ Mark 1:3
“…calling in the desert…” I don’t know about you, but I feel like we’re all living in the desert right now. As I watched the nightly news last night I nearly broke down in tears. My heart aches for the people of Afghanistan, for our troops who are desperately trying evacuate the innocent, for the people of America where fires burn the West and rains pummel the East, where hatred and anger are erupting, and COVID cases are skyrocketing. Everyone is living in exhaustion and our first responders and health care workers are beyond the breaking point. It’s a desert.
This verse takes place in the desert, but in spite of its location, it resounds with good news! “Prepare the way for the Lord…” In other words, “God is coming; get ready by turning from yourself and turning toward Him!” And in His kindness, God gives us good news today.
Good news—God is right here in the desert places of our lives!
Good news—Jesus, God incarnate, walked in the desert, was tempted in the wilderness, and crucified outside the city. Wherever we are, He’s been there and He knows our pain.
Good news—Jesus offers us hope beyond hatred and COVID and natural disasters, the hope of eternity with Him if only we accept His death, believe in His resurrection, and turn to Him alone for salvation.
Good news—We have a Savior who knows what it’s like to live in the desert and offers us His love and daily mercies as we travel through it. And in the end, our journey as His children concludes (or begins!) in Heaven.
Good news!
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