Most weddings require thought and preparation, a trip takes planning and preparation, a party or anything else needs to be planned and preparations put into action.

God not only thought about whom to send, He also included when, how and where His chosen prophet would prepare the hearts of people for Messiah. Messiah would be introduced to Israel through John the Baptist. God prophesied of John”™s life and ministry long before he was conceived ““ God proves He is God through fulfilled prophecies. God used planning for His purposes to be fulfilled and God prepared His people for Messiah through John”™s ministry.

(NASB) Malachi 3:1a “BEHOLD, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me”¦”

Elijah was one of the great prophets in Israel and John the Baptist was referred to as a type of Elijah by Jesus. (See Matthew 17:9-13)

John”™s father, Zacharias prophesied of his son before he was conceived. (NASB) Luke 1:17 “It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

Consider this prophesy: “to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

What about our heart”™s need? Don”™t we need to be turned from disobedience of God”™s word and authority and turned to wisdom of God”™s righteousness?

John”™s mission was to prepare hearts for the Lord. You and I need to be prepared for God to be the Lord of our lives.

How prepared are you for God to be your Lord, your Savior, the One Whom you obey”¦each day?