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Hear the devotional here: https://anchor.fm/eradio-valverde/episodes/The-Road-Home-e1rsl9c
1 Wilderness and desert will sing joyously, the badlands will celebrate and flower - 2 bursting into blossom, a symphony of song and color. Mountain glories of Lebanon - a gift. Awesome Carmel, stunning Sharon - gifts. God's resplendent glory, fully on display. God awesome, God majestic. 3 Energize the limp hands, strengthen the rubbery knees. 4 Tell fearful souls, "Courage! Take heart! God is here, right here, on his way to put things right And redress all wrongs. He's on his way! He'll save you!" 5 Blind eyes will be opened, deaf ears unstopped, 6 Lame men and women will leap like deer, the voiceless break into song. Springs of water will burst out in the wilderness, streams flow in the desert. 7 Hot sands will become a cool oasis, thirsty ground a splashing fountain. Even lowly jackals will have water to drink, and barren grasslands flourish richly. 8 There will be a highway called the Holy Road. No one rude or rebellious is permitted on this road. It's for God's people exclusively - impossible to get lost on this road. Not even fools can get lost on it. 9 No lions on this road, no dangerous wild animals - Nothing and no one dangerous or threatening. Only the redeemed will walk on it. 10 The people God has ransomed will come back on this road. They'll sing as they make their way home to Zion, unfading halos of joy encircling their heads, Welcomed home with gifts of joy and gladness as all sorrows and sighs scurry into the night. (Isaiah 35:1-10 The Message Bible)
Advent is not only about expecting someone to come, it is also about our getting to someplace special. The birth of Jesus Christ signaled the arrival of He Who brought life in abundance. It was the fulfillment of prophecy which spoke of God taking action on our behalf. It would involve the changing of all things as described; a desert area known mostly for arid almost lifeless scenery, now is a place of singing and celebration; the badlands known for mystery and danger now is an area of colorful celebration with flowers and blossoms. The mountains are now places marked with the presence of God, in Whose presence strength is readily available and the fearful ones now hear messages of courage and joy. God is on His way here, and is already here to make things right. The blind will see, the deaf will hear; the lame will jump and walk like deer, the voiceless will break into song; the barren dry land will now spring forth gushing waters and become a fountain of life; all the arid land is now blossoming with life.
All of this will reveal, at long last, a road that was not yet visible. This road is the Holy Road and on it will not be permitted those who have not shown proper behavior and respect towards God; this road is exclusively for those who belong to God. The road is a straight path to God; no one can be lost on it, for it is only the redeemed are allowed on this road; it is the road back home. Those on this road will be singing as they make their way home. Joy will serve as halos to those on the road and the redeemed will find their way home and once there will receive the gifts prepared for them, gifts of joy; sadness is gone and replaced with gladness - leaving sorrow and sighs to run away from this road.
Several key stories and characters in the Bible were on the road home as each story ends. Estranged brothers home when they made up with siblings. The rebellious son who chose to be away from home and family, finds life in abundance when he repents of his sins and made his way home seeking just to find work among the family farm, only to be received as the once lost-now found son, clothed and fed like the prince that he is. The same awaits us as we prepare for Jesus and prepare our hearts for Him.
PRAYER: Loving God, make me worthy to walk this road towards You and the home that I seek. Grant me the strength and peace that I need as I make my way there. Help me to help those on the way too, so that many be in the number that gathers into the home You have prepared; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord. YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Invite others to life by your actions and gifts of help and love.
Receive my blessings of joy and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
