Friday, December 21, 2018

God Prepares The Way

Lorraine Hossington | @lorrainehossing


When Adam and Eve fell in the garden of Eden, God had a plan. He was preparing a way for us to be able to come back into a relationship with him by sending his son Jesus into the world as a living sacrifice, that we would be reconciled with God.

Throughout scripture God has told us through his prophets about the coming Messiah. In Isaiah 9:6-8(NIV)

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful counsellor, mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

Throughout scripture the prophets have prophesied about the coming of a Saviour who would change the world and bring new life. Maybe the people were expecting someone who would come ready to defeat their enemies in battle and free them from slavery. To rid them of the Romans and start afresh. Can you imagine waiting for this time, longing for the Messiah to come. Calling out and asking God when will he send his Salvation to his people?

And then it happened in the most unexpected way. A child was born in a stable and placed in a manger. This tiny squalling baby would turn the world upside down, not in a threatening violent way, but in love and forgiveness. He would bring peace into the world and be a light in the darkness. He would teach us compassion and give hope to those that had no hope. He would forgive our sins and heal us emotionally and physically.
Imagine Mary looking at her new born son in her arms as she gently rocks him to sleep, knowing this is the one that has been prophesied about, the Saviour of the world, yet in her eyes this is her child to love and protect for as long as she can be a mother to him.

Luke 3:3-6 John the Baptist Prepares the Way

He went into all the country around Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet;

“A voice of one calling in the desert, prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, and the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God’s salvation.”
John came to show the way to repentance in preparation for Jesus to come and start his ministry. And we see God’s perfect timing in all of this, everything has come together the way he has planned it.

Every aspect of what God has done excites me, just thinking of all the preparation and planning he has done. And all of this because he loves us and wants to have a relationship with his children. Jesus has done this for us by being born and then sacrificing himself on the cross for our sins.

Maybe you’re waiting for something that you have prayed about and wondering when you will get an answer. This can be a frustrating time when you can’t do anything but listen for God to speak to you.

Perhaps this is your preparation time and God will tell you when the time is right to step forward on the path he wants you to walk. He will guide you and make sure everything will turn out the way he has planned.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

We serve a God of love and compassion and he only wants what is best for us. For we are his children and he wants us to have the blessings that he can give us.

Lorraine Hossington lives in the Gower Peninsular in Wales. She writes contemporary Christian Fiction. And loves nature and being able to see the wild ponies and sheep on the hills in the area she lives in. As she used to live in the city, but loves where God has put her in the country.

Twitter @lorrainehossing Facebook Lorraine Hossington

4 comments:

  1. Such a wonderful article, Lorraine! A beautiful reminder that God presented His greatest gift of Love in the most unexpected way and in the humblest of wrappings. "But blessed are your eyes because they see..." (Mt.13:16) Nothing is impossible for the Lord!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Katie, glad you enjoyed the article. God is amazing and all things are possible for him. What a wonderful way to show his love.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you for this encouragement, Lorraine. It made me think about how when the time is right and God does answer, His answer is completely different than we expect -- but it's always more than we could expect. Deeper, wider, higher.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Janet, it's true what you say God's answer is different to what we expect, but his timing is always right. And the depth of his answer is complete. i'm so glad you feel encouraged.

    ReplyDelete