[Journey with Jesus – Day 3]
A voice crying out, “Prepare the Lord’s way!”
What does that mean for us here today?
In the time of the Caesars despotic reign
When the chosen people are in chains again
Prisoners in their own holy land
crying out to see the mighty Lord’s hand
Desperate to hear the Lord speak his word
When so-called guardians are too deaf to have heard.
God isn’t silent, no, he’s never been
He’s been working in shadows in hearts unseen.
The wilderness, desert place, God speaks loud and clear
To anyone of open heart, who has an ear to hear.
The wilderness, where through salvation’s history
God has spoken to people who are quite ordinary.
Like Moses, David, Elijah – look and see the trend
They have this in common. They’ve reached their wits’ end
They know in their souls how much they’re in need
and that’s when he meets them that’s when he takes heed.
He sees when they’re empty, fills them to the brim
they’re not full of themselves but rather of him.
Wilderness, growing place, he’s speaking, will we hear?
As his voice rings out to us, loud and clear.
A voice crying out, “Prepare the Lord’s way!”
What does that mean for us here today?
Let’s look at the messenger who causes a stir
I’m not saying I’m him – just look at the hair –
But it’s helpful to see who the Lord chose
was wild, unrestrained, not very close
To the typical speaker in my kind of place.
Let’s not put boundaries on the Lord’s grace
For he chooses whom he will, puts his finger on the one
Through whom his Word comes alive, whose heart he has won.
And what’s more frightening than God speaking through John
Is that his gaze is on us, will we speak for his son?
For John ruffled feathers, of that there’s no doubt,
And God’s messenger today must be as devout,
As committed to speaking the Word of the Lord
Wielding fearlessly the Spirit’s Sword.
And so it falls upon us to be those who will stand
Unashamed, for the Gospel, in this barren land.
A voice crying out, “Prepare the Lord’s way!”
What does that mean for us here today?
The message itself is not a barrel of laughs
Repent of your sins, make straight your paths
Prepare the way for the Lord, put wrong things right
For the King he is coming bringing all things to light.
This message has never been easy to receive
the pride in our hearts flatters to deceive
Says that we’re all sorted, says that we’re ok
That we don’t need a saviour, at least not today.
This world needs the truth, though it may hurt
The price of our silence is really much worse
For a world that is hurting and lost in the dark
Needs igniting again by the divine spark
That dwells in us all if only we would see
How much he has to offer through you and through me.
So will we pray for it, long for it, until Kingdom come
Will we all serve our God and live for the one
Who alone is our hope, will we let his light shine
As we live out the grace that is yours and is mine.
And we’ll see the glory of the Lord once again.
Salvation for all nations, forever. Amen.
Halwill Publishing 