The voice crying in the wilderness demanded a way for the Lord—a way prepared, and a way prepared in the wilderness. I would be attentive to the Master's proclamation, and give him a road into my heart, cast up by gracious operations through the desert of my nature.

The four directions in the text demand my serious attention.

First: Every valley must be exalted. Low and groveling thoughts of God must be given up; doubting and despairing must be removed; self-seeking and carnal delights must be forsaken. Across these deep valleys, a glorious causeway of grace must be raised.

Second: Every mountain and hill shall be laid low. Proud creature-sufficiency and boastful self-righteousness must be leveled to make a highway for the King of kings. Mark this well—divine fellowship is never granted to haughty, high-minded sinners. Never! The Lord has respect for the lowly and visits the contrite in heart, but the lofty are an abomination to him. My soul, beseech the Holy Spirit to set you right in this!

Third: The crooked shall be made straight. The wavering heart must have a straight path of decision for God and holiness marked out for it. Double-minded men are strangers to the God of truth. My soul, take heed that you be honest and true in all things, as in the sight of the heart-searching God.

Fourth: The rough places shall be made smooth. Stumbling blocks of sin must be removed, and thorns and briars of rebellion must be uprooted. So great a visitor must not find muddy ways and stony places when he comes to honor his favored ones with his company.

Oh that this evening the Lord may find in my heart a highway made ready by his grace, that he may make a triumphal progress through the utmost bounds of my soul, from the beginning of this year even to the end of it!