Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord

“THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, 'MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT. 'EVERY RAVINE WILL BE FILLED, AND EVERY MOUNTAIN AND HILL WILL BE BROUGHT LOW; THE CROOKED WILL BECOME STRAIGHT, AND THE ROUGH ROADS SMOOTH; AND ALL FLESH WILL SEE THE SALVATION OF GOD.'" Luke 3:4-6, NASU

In 1973, the year of my high school graduation, the movie Godspell hit the theatres. In my senior year, attending Columbus High School (Catholic) in Waterloo, Iowa, I went and saw it. Somewhat out of curiosity, but mostly because I liked some of the songs I was hearing on the radio. Though I didn’t care for every scene or song, I still think the Lord used it to reach ones who didn’t attend church or synagogues. At least I hope it did.

So why write about a secular movie production, or a play on Broadway, which it also was? Because even in these types of artistic displays, our God is reaching out to get the attention of those He has created. After all, He even used a talking donkey to speak His word, because that was what was available.

And yet even today in 2019, He is still using the words, “prepare ye the way of the Lord” (listen to the movie version below). I woke up one morning, and during preparation for the Sunday morning congregation gathering, during which I would help lead worship as a vocalist, the song came into my head. And it happened to be the start of Passover week, and on the Gregorian calendar, Palm Sunday. This was the historical day Jesus (Yeshua) rode into Jerusalem on a colt (donkey also), as the people hailed His kingship. Only to later, in that same week, witness His crucifixion.

I also recall the song I have sung many times as a worship leader, written by Forrest Richard Betts and recorded by Robin Mark, the wonderful worship leader from Northern Ireland, on his Revival in Belfast album (1999), entitled simply, “Revival.”

I remember it well, as I loved to sing the lyrics beginning the song, without instrumentation:

“I hear the voice of one calling, prepare ye the way of the Lord.
And make His paths straight in the wilderness
And let your light shine in the darkness
And let your rain fall in the desert.”

The song also had a special impact on me, being within the year my Dad passed onto heaven, having suffered through lymphoma cancer, and my Mom telling me some of the lyrics struck her, particularly, “to the widow walking through the veil of tears.”

And now Paul Wilbur, on his latest CD release in March 2019, Roar From Zion, includes an old favorite of almost everybody, Days of Elijah, which includes, once again, the words, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord1” (and he also has the worship team sing it in Hebrew.)

I say all that to say this. 

If we haven’t already begun, now is the time to prepare ye the way of the Lord.

As the Lord was speaking in the 1970s and the 1990s through these two songs, He is yet again speaking, loud and clear for those who have ears to hear, that now is certainly the time we as believers need to be preparing for His coming revival, that which will be manifested with millions of the lost coming into His salvation, making entry into His kingdom.

Through powerful, consistent, gathering together in prayer, be it two or three, or full congregations at one time; through the proclamation of His truth as recorded in His Word, the Torah, the Bible, in written and spoken realms (especially social media!); in addition to producing godly movies, singing Spirit-led songs, and taking back the lost ground that we as believers allowed the enemy to take while we have been on our watch; in all areas of education, medicine, government, the arts, and every area of life that touches our spirits, souls, and bodies.

The Lord Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, is calling out to us and wanting to proclaim it through us, “PREPARE YE THE WAY OF THE LORD!”

We don’t have five or ten years anymore to sit back and do nothing. Today is the day. Now is the time.

So now think on this.

Shalom and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew).

Steve Martin

Founder/President

Love For His People, Inc.

P.S. And the Lord knows, I hope to have the opportunity to sing “Revival” once again. Loud and clear!

You can listen here to the 1973 movie version: Godspell'sPrepare Ye (the way of the Lord)

Robin Mark’s worship song: Revival

Paul Wilbur's Roar From Zion album: Days of Elijah

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Now Think On This #411 - in the year of our Lord 04.14.19 – “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord” – Sunday 7:07 pm

Revial Lyrics – Robin Mark

I hear the voice of one calling, prepare ye the way of the Lord.
And make His paths straight in the wilderness
And let your light shine in the darkness
And let your rain fall in the desert.

As sure as gold is precious and the honey sweet,
So you love this city and you love these streets.
Every child out playing by their own front door
Every baby laying on the bedroom floor.

Every dreamer dreaming in her dead-end job
Every driver driving through the rush hour mob
I feel it in my spirit, feel it in my bones
You're going to send revival, bring them all back home

I can hear that thunder in the distance
Like a train on the edge of town
I can feel the brooding of Your Spirit
"Lay your burdens down, Lay your burdens down".

From the Preacher preaching when the well is dry
To the lost soul reaching for a higher high
From the young man working through his hopes and fears
To the widow walking through the veil of tears

Every man and woman, every old and young
Every fathers daughter, every mothers son.
I feel it in my spirit, feel it in my bones
You're going to send revival, bring them all back home

I can hear that thunder in the distance
Like a train on the edge of town
I can feel the brooding of Your Spirit
"Lay your burdens down, Lay your burdens down".

Revive us, Revive us,
Revive us with your fire!

Songwriters: Forrest Richard Betts

Revival lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc