Prepare the way for the people.
Build up, build up the highway!
Remove the stones.
Raise a banner for the nations
-Isaiah 62: 10
The passage we are considering here gives us the steps for mission expansion. The focal point in the text is the need for us to make the path easier for converts and disciples who are following us no matter how difficult.
In those days, our fathers through communal efforts gathered very early in the morning with various farm implements. They would go through the wet grasses and spiral narrow road clearing, channeling and constructing local bridges with bamboos, trunks of trees and palm trees. All these efforts were geared towards making ways for the young, women and those who would be plying the route to have easy trip while bringing home the farm produce. Sometimes they did that because of an important indigene or visitor who would be returning to the village. There are people who will not want to go to the village where they were raised because of the impassable roads. Also, there are people who will never come to the Lord except believers with one accord take the steps highlighted by Prophet Isaiah.
Pass through, pass through the gates! The first action statement is for the believers to make a transit, going across the hurdles. A gate is a point of entry or exit. A gate is an access to a space. Sometimes gates are mounted to restrict movement. Some references to gates in the Bible shows the negation to expansion and establishment of the people of God. “Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in…At that time Joshua pronounced this solemn oath: "Cursed before the Lord is the man who undertakes to rebuild this city, Jericho: "At the cost of his firstborn son will he lay its foundations; at the cost of his youngest will he set up its gates."” Joshua 6: 1,26. Other references are, Psalm 24: 7a; Isaiah 45: 2; Matthew 16: 18; Gen. 24: 60; Deut 3: 5;
Every gate mounted on your way to enlargement shall break down in Jesus name. believers must defy all odds that stand as gates against the expansion of the church and march into victory, possessing their possessions and make the kingdoms of this world the kingdom of our Lord Jesus. Whatever may be the challenges, the power of God and His grace will see us through in Jesus name.
Don’t allow happenings around us to weigh us down. There wars, rumours of wars, pestilences, economic woes and recession, corruption in high places and desecration of the holy sanctuaries. All these are gates of hell. They shall not overcome us in Jesus name. be courageous and strong in the Lord. Be strong in prayers, bible study and mission works. You shall get to your promised land in Jesus name.
