Readings for today: Isaiah 39-41, Psalms 118
Over the last two weeks, I had the privilege of spending time with some of the great men and women of the faith. Men and women who put their lives on the line every single day to preach the gospel. Men and women who risk it all as they seek to expand the Kingdom of God on earth. They give up homes. They give up families. They give up livelihoods. They leave their communities and go to far away places. They cross tribal and language barriers. They lay it all on the line for Jesus. I long ago stopped asking why. The answer is obvious. Jesus is more than enough for them. Lately, I’ve been asking how. How can they do these things? Where do they find the strength? Where do they find the courage? Where do they find the hope to endure the persecution and hardship and suffering? Today’s passage from Isaiah gives us the answer.
It begins with the call of God to every single man and woman of faith. Not just pastors. Not just church leaders. Not just gifted evangelists. Every single man or woman who calls on the name of Jesus and places their faith in Him is called by God to share the gospel with those around them. And as we do, the power of God Himself works through us to lift up every valley, tear down every mountain, and make straight every path so those who do not yet know God may come to faith in Him. “A voice of one crying out: Prepare the way of the Lord in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert. Every valley will be lifted up, and every mountain and hill will be leveled; the uneven ground will become smooth and the rough places, a plain. And the glory of the Lord will appear, and all humanity together will see it, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” (Isaiah 40:3-5 CSB)
This call comes with a promise. We are not alone in this work. God goes with us and before us and will accomplish it through us. Listen to all the promises He makes in Isaiah 41. “Who has stirred up someone from the east? In righteousness he calls him to serve. The Lord hands nations over to him, and he subdues kings. He makes them like dust with his sword, like wind-driven stubble with his bow….Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand….You will look for those who contend with you, but you will not find them. Those who war against you will become absolutely nothing….See, I will make you into a sharp threshing board, new, with many teeth. You will thresh mountains and pulverize them and make hills into chaff. You will winnow them and a wind will carry them away, a whirlwind will scatter them. But you will rejoice in the Lord; you will boast in the Holy One of Israel…I will open rivers on the barren heights, and springs in the middle of the plains. I will turn the desert into a pool and dry land into springs. I will plant cedar, acacia, myrtle, and olive trees in the wilderness. I will put juniper, elm, and cypress trees together in the desert, so that all may see and know, consider and understand, that the hand of the Lord has done this, the Holy One of Israel has created it.” (Isaiah 41:2, 10, 12, 15-16, 18-20 CSB) Over and over again, God promises to protect. Promises to provide. Promises to guide. Promises to work miracles through His people all for His glory. God is making His name known throughout the earth. God will not rest until every corner of the globe has heard the name of Jesus. God is working even now to make sure every knee bows and every tongue confesses to the glory of God the Father. This is His great plan and He invites us to be part of it!
We get so caught up asking God, “Why?” I want us to shift our question. Instead of asking “why”, ask God “how?” How can I do your will? How can I accomplish what you desire for me? How can I proclaim this gospel to my family, friends, neighbors, co-workers? How can I do what you’ve called me to do right now, in this moment, even today?
Readings for tomorrow: Isaiah 42-44, Psalms 119:1-32 (No devotionals on Sundays)