Today’s devotion covers Luke 3:1-6 which covers an introduction to the surrounding time and summary of the ministry of John the Baptist. We will focus on verses 4 through 6.
“as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,
“THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS,
‘MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD,
MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT.
EVERY RAVINE WILL BE FILLED,
AND EVERY MOUNTAIN AND HILL WILL BE BROUGHT LOW;
THE CROOKED WILL BECOME STRAIGHT,
AND THE ROUGH ROADS SMOOTH;
AND ALL FLESH WILL SEE THE SALVATION OF GOD.'” Luke 3:4-6.
“THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS,
‘MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD,
MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT.
EVERY RAVINE WILL BE FILLED,
AND EVERY MOUNTAIN AND HILL WILL BE BROUGHT LOW;
THE CROOKED WILL BECOME STRAIGHT,
AND THE ROUGH ROADS SMOOTH;
AND ALL FLESH WILL SEE THE SALVATION OF GOD.'” Luke 3:4-6.
I have read somewhere that this image of preparing a road was very familiar to the people of that day. When a king or other high dignitary would visit an area, people would prepare the road to the area that he would visit. They would make the road smooth and fill in ruts and ravines. They would straighten out the road.
This concept makes us consider how we can prepare the way for the second coming of our Lord, the King of Kings.
The answer may be in the section of Isaiah (Isaiah 40:6-9) which follows that part of Isaiah (Isaiah 40:3-5) which is quoted in today’s Scripture (Luke 3:4-6) .
“6 A voice says, “Call out.”
Then he answered, “What shall I call out?”
All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field.
7 The grass withers, the flower fades,
When the breath of the LORD blows upon it;
Surely the people are grass.
8 The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands forever.
9 Get yourself up on a high mountain,
O Zion, bearer of good news,
Lift up your voice mightily,
O Jerusalem, bearer of good news;
Lift it up, do not fear
Say to the cities of Judah,
“Here is your God!” Isaiah 40:6-9 (Emphasis added.)
Then he answered, “What shall I call out?”
All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field.
7 The grass withers, the flower fades,
When the breath of the LORD blows upon it;
Surely the people are grass.
8 The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands forever.
9 Get yourself up on a high mountain,
O Zion, bearer of good news,
Lift up your voice mightily,
O Jerusalem, bearer of good news;
Lift it up, do not fear
Say to the cities of Judah,
“Here is your God!” Isaiah 40:6-9 (Emphasis added.)
“TULIP” calls out “All flesh is grass!” and “Here is your God!”.
The “T” of “TULIP” cries out “Total Depravity!” which is like “All flesh is grass!”
The rest of “TULIP” cries out “Here is your God!” through “Unconditional Election”, “Limited Atonement”, “Irresistible Grace”, and “Perseverance of the Saints a/k/a Preservation of the Saints”.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 