Advent-Christmas Devotions
Tuesday, December 9
Isaiah 35:8-10
8 A highway shall be there,
and it shall be called the Holy Way;
the unclean shall not travel on it,
but it shall be for God’s people;
no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray.
9 No lion shall be there,
nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;
they shall not be found there,
but the redeemed shall walk there.
10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return
and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain joy and gladness,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
“… no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray …”
When our children were younger, we used to take them bowling. The lanes would put up “bumpers” to prevent the balls from constantly rolling into the gutters. This made the game so much fun because, no matter how poorly the ball was thrown, pins got knocked over. That caused great celebration among us and our children.
In the kingdom envisioned by Isaiah, the highway of the Lord will be such that even those who typically end up in the gutter will find a way. Rather than simply ending up alongside the road with little or no hope, even the most inept at life and living will be secure. While not everyone will bowl a perfect, three-hundred game of faith and life, all will find themselves celebrated as part of God’s kingdom.
The gift of God is that no one who seeks to walk along the way of life will be left out. While many may stumble and fall, only to get up, try again, and fail, none will be excluded. This is because the One who lies in the manger is the One who, when lifted up, will draw all people to himself. It is the promise of God that all travelers, no matter where they come from, their situation in life, nor their status, not even those who are foolish, shall go astray. This is the gift of God.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for providing the way of life for us. When I stumble, fall, and am in danger of going into the gutter, deliver me by Your grace, put me on a level path, and lead me into Your loving embrace. Amen.