Remember the story of Joshua and the march around Jericho? As the people processed in praise on the third, fourth, and fifth days, I wonder what was going on in their minds. Did they see a point to all of this? On the sixth “lap” around the city I wonder how many wanted to give up, not knowing that they were about to begin the “final lap.”
We people of faith deal with many Jericho’s in our lives. We keeping doing another lap of prayer and praise hoping that God will step in and bring the walls down. Many times we feel like giving up. Sometimes we think that God has forgotten about us.
Today’s reading from Isaiah tells me that we are about to begin our final lap. God is ready to step in and shatter the Jericho walls (Isaiah 40:1-11).
“Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her service is at an end…”
Something new is in the air. We are preparing for a new move of God upon the earth.
“In the desert prepare a way of the Lord! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God! Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill shall be made a plan…Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed…”
God is engaging us in a massive construction project. It takes place in what seems like a desert time in our lives. Our valleys of despondency are being filled in with his grace; our mountains of struggle and exhaustion are being leveled by a word of his command. What is going on? God is about to make an appearance—his glory will soon be revealed!
God fills Isaiah with victorious confidence. He tells him to,
“Go up onto a high mountain, Zion, herald of glad tidings; cry out at the top of your voice, Jerusalem, herald of good news! Fear not to cry out and say to the cities of Judah: Here is your God! Here comes with power the Lord God, who rules by his strong arm.”
Isaiah realized that the final lap was beginning. From the mountain he looked in the distance and saw the glory of God approaching. So he cried out at the top of his voice, “Here is your God!” The people’s hearts are suddenly lifted from the dust of longing; they realize they are on the brink of victory and freedom.
hat does God look like when he makes his entrance on this glory road that has been constructed in the desert?
“Like a shepherd, he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, carrying them in is bosom, and leading the ewes with care.”
God has not forgotten us. Jesus, our Good Shepherd, appears and begins to rescue his sheep from dark places, to heal those who are injured, to bring them to new pastures. As he gathers his flock into the safety of his arms, they realize that the walls have collapsed and a day of glory has begun.
We rejoice in these days of God’s great construction project. We call upon the Holy Spirit to make a road in the deserts of our hearts and to stir new hope and excitement in our hearts. With patience, perseverance, and determination we begin our final lap. Our Shepherd is truly coming. He has not forgotten his people.
“Sing to the Lord; bless his name; announce his salvation, day after day” (Ps 96:2).
