"He said, ‘Build it up, build it up, prepare the way, remove every obstacle from my people’s way.’” vs14

Our job as preachers is to remove the obstacles. We are not to muddy the waters. We're to preach so everyone can see Christ. This means making it plain. We don't want people enamored with us. George Whitefield told an admirer that he'd do better to see less of the messenger and more of the message.

We make it plain by preaching the gospel in love. We must not give offense by our character. 2 Corinthians 6:3 - "We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry," Our job is to convince people by how we live. This is a high calling, but God gives grace. This is what gives thrills and power to our life. Evangelism is the path of communion: Christ meets us here.

Secondly, God revives the lowly. Isaiah 57:15 — "For the High and Exalted One, who lives forever, whose name is holy, says this: ‘I live in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and lowly of spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the oppressed."

This is who he is: He is high and exalted, but he's with the broken in heart. He's with the sinner to revive him and lift him up. He's a helping and a merciful God. He pities.

Take the lowest seat. Be the chief of sinners, and stay there. Never get above trusting Christ. Be humble, and he will help you. St. Luke 14:11 For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Admit your inability, and he will lift you up. Have nothing to give God but Christ.

If we do this, we'll see God faithful. He will not despise us. It's only as we become strong that he withdraws himself. He sends trouble to lift us up spiritually, so that we lean on him. 2 Corinthians 4:11 - "For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh." In our weakness, we are strong, because he provides for us grace sufficient. 2 Corinthians 12:10 - "For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Do not fear, and trust him. He's the Friend of Sinners, the Savior of the weak, and the captive. He is the gracious giving God.

Thirdly, we keep going in our sin. Isaiah 57:17 — “Because of his sinful greed I was angry, so I struck him; I was angry and hid; but he went on turning back to the desires of his heart.”

Chastisement, by itself, does nothing. We don't learn. It's only when God humbles us and brings us back. Then, we see clearly. Then, we repent. The prodigal son would have gone further, except his affliction was met with mercy. God opened his eyes.

Like Hagar in the desert, he reveals water to us. Genesis 21:19 - "Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink." Like at the beginning, repentance is given. We didn't turn because we are wise. We went further to prove that we are wicked, utterly vile, and it is God's sovereign mercy only. Grace turned us, and grace gets the credit. Grace will see us through, and grace makes us love others, because we're no better than Satan. We deserve nothing. It's only goodness from God that saves. Goodness to choose us, pay for our sins, and to grant us repentance. A proud Christian is an oxymoron. It's impossible to credit ourselves for anything. The more mercy we have, the more we are debtors. The more God gives, we wash feet.

Fourthly, God heals us! Isaiah 57:19 — "The LORD says, ‘Peace, peace to the one who is far or near, and I will heal him.’" He doesn't leave us in sin. He takes it away. He gives us grace upon grace. He gives us the Holy Spirit.

He pardons, and then he cleanses. He forgives, and gives power to obey. The Holy Spirit comes because of Christ, who finished the work on the cross. He gives the joy of obedience and revelation. The entrance of his word gives light. Psalm 119:130 - "The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple." He gives peace that surpasses understanding, and opens our lips with praise. He makes us what we ought to be, which is servants of God. He makes us love him, and love others. He teaches us to pray. Having exposed our weakness, we lean on Christ. He gives us godly fear, so that we never depart. Jeremiah 32:40 I will make an everlasting covenant with them, never to draw back from doing good to them; and I will put the fear of me in their hearts, so that they may not turn from me.” He makes us lean on him for mercy!

Come to him, poor sinner. He'll heal you, and revive your spirit. He'll give you fellowship with God. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Believe on him.

You've not gone too far in unrighteousness. Heed him today. He'll make something great of your ruined life. He'll use you now. It will be even sweeter, after he's shamed you. You'll be a prodigal who preaches Christ. Who else can tell the Lord's love, but the one who's been to the bottom and been lifted? Who else can give a better testimony? It is the sinner - the person God saves - who lifts him up. It is the hypocrite and the harlot, the pastor's wife who's been awakened. It is the guilty and the vile who get delivered.