40 “Comfort, comfort my people,”
    says your God.
² “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem.
Tell her that her sad days are gone
    and her sins are pardoned.
Yes, the Lord has punished her twice over
    for all her sins.”

³ Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting,
“Clear the way through the wilderness
    for the Lord!
Make a straight highway through the wasteland
    for our God!
⁴ Fill in the valleys,
    and level the mountains and hills.
Straighten the curves,
    and smooth out the rough places.
⁵ Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed,
    and all people will see it together.
    The Lord has spoken!”

Glory (from the Latin gloria, “fame, renown”) is used to describe the manifestation of God’s presence as perceived by humans according to the Abrahamic religions.

Jesus was the glory, or renown, manifestation of God’s presence.

Jesus was the glorious representation of God.

God had a plan for his people right from the beginning. He loved them (us) so dearly, we can see Him comforting His people with these words above. Comforting and telling them that His plan, Jesus, would be revealed to all. And when the time was near, His servant, John the baptist would prepare them for His coming.

Additional reading

Matthew 3:3

³ The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said,

“He is a voice shouting in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming!
    Clear the road for him!’”

Luke 3:4-6

Isaiah had spoken of John when he said,

“He is a voice shouting in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming!
    Clear the road for him!
⁵ The valleys will be filled,
    and the mountains and hills made level.
The curves will be straightened,
    and the rough places made smooth.
⁶ And then all people will see
    the salvation sent from God.’”

Prayer

Lord, thank You for Your Son, Jesus, who paid for my sin and made a way straight to Your throne. Work humility in me today and help me turn to You with my sin. Make my dry heart a new and refreshed land. Make my concerns lighter and more easily manageable. Help me rest in Your love and provision. You are my peace and my portion. In Jesus’ name, Amen.