November 29, 2004
Isaiah 40:3-4 A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for
the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every
valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough
ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain."
CLEANING HEART
What do you do when someone is coming over to your house to visit? At our
house, a special visitor on the way means my wife gets out the vacuum
cleaner and puts a dust-rag in my hand. We don't want our guests to see
all our cobwebs and dirty laundry, so everything gets cleaned from top to
bottom. We want to make things nice for those who come to see us.
There is a special traveler on the way to your place this Advent season.
It is Jesus Christ. He comes from far away-- from the heavenly realms. He
comes not only to your house, but especially to your heart. How will you
prepare for the arrival of this greatest of all guests? By washing the
windows? By sweeping the floor? How about by sweeping your heart!
Go into the dark recesses and sweep away envy, malice, bitterness, strife,
and any other sin you might find there. Make the rough edges smooth. Make
the rugged places into a plain. Let's get things ready for the arrival of our
heavenly King. We want to make things nice for Him who comes to see us.
What can we do with the trash we find while cleaning heart? Why, take it
to the dump, of course! Take it to the dump at Calvary where on Him is
laid the iniquity of us all. Yes, indeed-- the Savior who comes is the
very One who prepares us for His coming through repentance and the
forgiveness of sins.
Prepare the way before Him;
Prepare for Him the best.
Cast out whate'er offendeth
This great, this heav'nly Guest.
Make straight, make plain, the way:
The lowly valleys raising,
The heights of pride abasing,
His path all even lay (TLH 75:2). 