Isaiah 40:4 (NKJV): Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked places shall be made straight, and the rough places (shall be made) smooth.
The word 'straight' here is 'miyshor' in Hebrew, which means 'concord (i.e. in agreement, in harmony), made straight, in alignment'.
According to the Oxford Dictionary, 'to align' is 'to arrange things in straight line (in line with something), to put into correct position, to join somebody as ally, or to come into agreement with somebody'.
So, 'to align with God' means:
(a) to arrange things in line with God's ways,
(b) to put into correct position with God,
(c) to join God as ally, or
(d) to come into agreement with God (& His ways).
When a person is 'out of alignment' with God, it means he is 'not walking in line' with God's ways any more. He, therefore, needs to be re-aligned again.
'To be re-aligned' is 'to be made straight again with God'.
This is a time of re-alignment for God's people! Meditate on the whole of Isaiah 40. I heard this instruction from the Lord recently. This chapter begins with 'alignment' with God (Isaiah 40:1-4), and ends with 'gathering & collecting' from God (Isaiah 40:31). In between these verses is a description of how great God is, in all His wisdom, His understanding, His strength, and His ways (see Isaiah 40:12-14, Isaiah 40:18-23, Isaiah 40:25-29).
Let me explain how 'alignment with God' leads to 'gathering & collecting' from God. Isaiah 40:31 then says, 'But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint'. The word 'wait' here in Hebrew is 'qavah', and interestingly, it does not just mean 'to wait patiently, or to look to Him expectantly', but it also means 'to collect (together), or to gather (together)'.
People of God, as you re-align yourself with Him (& His ways), this is also the time to 're-collect and re-gather' from Him, not just His strength, but also His wisdom, His understanding (i.e. receiving the understanding of His ways, instead of your own ways or men's ways), and even His direction to move on from here. As Paul wrote, 'forgetting the things behind you, and reaching (looking) forward to the things ahead of you' (Philippians 3:13). As you receive the new things He has in store for you, you'll move on with fresh new vigor! And that's exactly why 'qavah' is so important right now. Not only will you be replenished, but you'll also soar again with the accuracy of the eagle's. Amen!
In Acts 1 & 2, the same happened. Acts 1:4 says, 'being assembled together with them, He (Jesus) commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father..." Notice the word 'wait' again? That was also a time of 'waiting' for God's people (in that case, to receive the power that comes from on high, i.e. the Holy Spirit). As the people waited upon the Lord, great things began to happen (Acts 2:1-4). However, notice also that out of so many thousands who knew Jesus those days, only about 120 were willing to 'align' and 'wait'. But these 120 were also the ones experiencing great things and saw the manifestation of God's glory! (Acts 2:1-47)
So, people of God, it's time to get back into alignment, and therefore, collecting (gathering) from Him again. There's a clarion call for such right now! He's now in the midst of calling His people to 'get ready', the way He used to do in Acts 1. This time, greater things, even many unprecedented things are in store for those who heed this call. The Lord promises that His people shall see an even greater manifestation of His glory in days to come.
When you 'qavah', you'll also receive His plan (His blueprint) for your life. Be willing to respond even to His reminder or correction, not just His direction. Remember, He may sometimes correct you, but never will He condemn you (Romans 8:1). All things will work out for good for you, and He knows better. It's also time to know who God wants you to be (or originally intended for you to be). Take some time to 'qavah'. Never bow down to the pressure of trying to be somebody else! This is normally the problem with people who are 'out of alignment' with God. They tend to try very hard to 'compete & compare' with others, and to 'impress others' with their 'performance', pleasing people & fearing people, instead of God.
Be greatly blessed as you 're-align' and 're-gather'. Amen!
