Whenever the President of the United States visits a community, local officials cooperate with advance teams to prepare for his coming. His motorcade route is carefully laid out. Streets are repaired and litter is picked up. The offices, auditoriums, and businesses he'll visit are decorated. Those who will meet him put on their finest clothes. Everything possible is done to give him the kind of reception his high position deserves.

If a world leader merits such thorough preparation, certainly the Lord of the universe deserves far more. John, the baptizer and "advance man" for Christ, urged the people to get ready for the Messiah. In fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah 40:3-4, he called for the removal of spiritual obstacles (Luke 3:10-14).

1. Mountains of pride and abuse must be leveled.

2. Valleys of human need must be filled.

3. Crooked, immoral paths must be straightened.

4. Rough places of oppression must be made smooth.

Such actions do not save us, but they do reflect a timeless principle: If our hearts are prepared for the Lord, He will walk through the streets of our lives with power and peace.

I wonder, is there anything in our lives that makes us unprepared for His presence?  MRD II  — Mart De Haan