Isaiah 40:3a A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord ;
A footnote to verse 3 reads: Or A voice of one calling in the wilderness: “Prepare the way for the Lord…”, meaning this verse can either be a voice calling in the wilderness (footnote) or we are to prepare a way for the Lord in the wilderness (original NIV). Semantically, the difference deals with who is in the wilderness–the voice that is calling or the way we prepare for the Lord.
Isaiah 40:3b …make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
I know that I more readily cry out to the Lord when I am in a wilderness period. I also know that the Lord went through His own wilderness period, so He knows what that feels like. He knows how to comfort His people who are in the wilderness. Perhaps, semantically, the difference isn’t truly important. The Lord being there with us in that wilderness is.
Isaiah 40:4 Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.
Precious Savior, Thank You for understanding what it means, what it feels like to be in a wilderness period. Thank You that we can call on You, that You are with us even if we don’t call, that You understand what it feels like to be in the wilderness, that You are with us always. Amen.
Isaiah 40:5 And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
Have a blessed day.