Preparing for God

‘You, my child, will be called a prophet
of the Most High God.
You will go ahead of the Lord
to prepare his road for him
to tell his people that they will be saved
by having their sins forgiven.’  (verses 76, 77)

Read Luke 1:68-79

Sometimes how we prepare to meet a person make all the difference to how we actually receive them. If we prepare to meet someone who is angry with us, we will receive them with fear and anxiety. If we prepare to meet someone who loves us, we will receive them with joy and thanks. Think of the difference between an unruly schoolboy who prepares to meet his headmaster and a bride who prepares to meet her groom!

Zechariah prophesied that John the Baptist would prepare God’s people to receive Jesus with joy. John would tell all who heard him that God was coming to save them by forgiving their sin. They didn’t need to be afraid of Jesus’ arrival – they could prepare with eager anticipation.

This message is also for you. Your Lord comes to you with his gifts of forgiveness and peace and wholeness. Prepare wit joy to meet him in his word, his supper, and his people!

Lord Jesus, thank you for forgiving me my sins. Always prepare me to receive you with joy and thanks. Amen.

By Fraser Pearce, in “God’s Promises for each day” (LCA, Openbook Publishers (1999)

Visit the Daily Devotion archives page.