A voice cries:
In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
And the glory of Lord shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
This passage from Isaiah (40:3-5) is referenced by Mark as he begins his Gospel, and Mark explains it immediately, writing, “John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Mark 1:4). In our reading from the Psalms this past Sunday, the psalm begins by remembering God’s past faithfulness and abundant mercy to his people. The psalmist then begs the Lord to turn again, to show his love and bring salvation to his people yet again. After this part of his prayer, he continues (Psalm 85:8-9):
Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints;
but let them not turn back to folly.
Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him,
that glory may dwell in our land.
The rendering of this Psalm printed in our bulletins reads, “for he shall speak peace unto his people, and to his saints, that they turn not again.” John prepares the way for the Lord, for the revealing of the Lord’s glory, by calling God’s people to repentance. As Justin reminded us in his sermon, our worst enemy now is the same as Israel’s worst enemy throughout her history—even our own wayward hearts. We turn to the Lord to cry out for deliverance, for us, for our families, for our country, for this world! And in the next instant we turn back to our folly, grieving our families and our God. Yet he speaks peace to us, and draws us back to himself, over and over and over, calling us to repentance and reminding us of our forgiveness in Christ. His glory has been revealed and will someday be fully revealed as he comes in glory to make his home with us, forever and ever, Amen! Let us wait for it with patience (Romans 8:25), repenting as often as we turn back to our folly, listening for his words of peace.
-Rebekah