Saturday, December 4, 2010
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Jeremiah 37-39 and Hebrews 2-3
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Jeremiah 37-39 and Hebrews 2-3
SCRIPTURE READING
Luke 1:13-17 (NIV); But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
What a promise! Suddenly Zechariah and Elizabeth are taken from a place of barrenness and rejection and thrust into this prophetic calling to raise a child full of the Spirit, consecrated in the work of the Lord! What a remarkable blessing to this righteous couple. The prophet Malachi had told of an “Elijah” who would come to prepare the way for the Messiah (see Mal. 3:1, 4:5-6). Did Zechariah recall this as the angel spoke to him? Did he fully understand the implications of what was being declared by the Lord’s messenger, that HIS SON was the one that Israel was waiting for? Considering His response, “How can this be? My wife and I are old and she is barren!” it is clear that He did not. Good thing Zechariah’s doubt could not thwart the plans of the Lord!
The workings of the Lord were underway and His plan was unstoppable. Those who submitted would be blessed and those who opposed would be frustrated. When we put our hope in our truly great God, we will see wonderful things happen in and around us.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Think about these verses in Luke and how they are essential to the Christmas story and surrounding events. Ask God to speak to you about how these words can enhance the season for you.
2. These words were good news and great joy to Zechariah, Elizabeth and the whole earth. Is there an area that you need to experience good news or great joy? Ask the Spirit to speak to you about this.
3. Ask the Lord to show you how you can help to bring good news and great joy to those around you today and throughout this month.
