SCRIPTURE
Luke 1:5-17 (NRSV)
In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.
Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
DEVOTION
I love the words, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard."
Many times I have heard these words in my own spirit. "Do not be afraid, Yolanda, for your prayer has been heard."
Prayer is a powerful means by which we connect with the Divine. It is one way that we can adore God, confess our sin, thank God for our blessings, and ask God for what we need.
As we pray, we can be sure that if our desires, line up with those of God, our prayers will be answered.
God has answered me in many ways--sometimes yes, no, or wait. Other times through the words of the Bible or wise elders and sometimes through nature, song, or silence.
God is mighty to bless us with the desires of our hearts when we walk in faith. And even when we are not always full of faith, or laugh at and questions the plans of God, God still blesses us--Zechariah's story is proof positive of that!
I am so humbled that the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe has time to talk with me. Won't you talk with God today? You'll be glad you did.
Let's pray:
Dear God, thank you that you can see into the very depths of my heart and that you know what I need. Thank you that you are good beyond my imaginings and that I can trust you. Thank you for always giving me what I need--most notably a relationship with you through Jesus Christ! Please forgive me of my sin and fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I can declare the good news that Christ has died, risen, and is coming again! I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.
INVITATION
If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaLta
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