A Call to Prepare (Isaiah 40:1-31) FAITH

Published on Jul 26, 2025
Category: Devotion | At The Potters Wheel | Behold!

A voice of one calling: In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.   – Isaiah 40:3

To prepare is to make ready for use.| WATCH ON YOUTUBE

The exiled nation of Israel wondered how they would return from Babylon to Jerusalem. It was not going to be easy. In this verse, Isaiah says that the Lord is going to return to Jerusalem and the voice is ordering for preparation. The people reading Isaiah’s prophecy would have been comforted that God would indeed make a way and lead them back to their land. And yes, He sure did. They did travel back home from Babylon to begin rebuilding the temple (Ezra 1-2). 

But this call was for more than just the return from exile. This call also predicted the coming of the Messiah and a forerunner to announce His arrival. Isaiah was foretelling that the King of Glory, the Lord was coming to His people. 

A forerunner is one who precedes an arriving king, announcing the royal arrival. His announcement was meant to enable the great amount of preparation needed for a royal visit. 

John the Baptist was the forerunner who announced the coming of the Messiah (Luke 1:17). And this Messiah who came, lived, died, and rose again, will come again (Acts 1:11). 

If near eastern towns made so much physical preparation for a king’s arrival, then how much more do we need to prepare for the return of the King of kings and Lord of lords. We are to prepare our hearts for him morally, spiritually. We need to confess our sins and seek Him in his Word. 

How are you preparing to meet the Lord when He returns?

Lord give me a humble and repentant heart that is fit for your coming, I pray.

Extended Reading — Isaiah 40-43

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THE POTTERS WHEEL – In a world filled with noise and distractions, “At the Potter’s Wheel” is a companion to the Bible that beckons readers to a place of stillness and connection, encouraging introspection and guiding readers toward a deeper relationship with God.
Author

Preethi Alice Jacob

Preethi Jacob is the author of the yearlong devotional At the Potter’s Wheel, Day by Day. Her journey includes teaching a Bible Study Fellowship class, teaching and leading the Sunday School ministry in her church, leading Bible studies, besides counselling young women. She serves on the Global Mission Team of the United Bible Societies and lives in Bangalore, India with her husband and two young adult children.

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