Today's Reading: Luke 1: 57-80
**For a simple and good way of Daily Devotion method please click this link: Subject Shifting Devotion.pdf.
Please click this link to read Luke 1: 57-80
Bible Study
This passage records how Zechariah witnessed the angel's prophecy happened and how he named his son as John as he was told by the angel. The most wonderful thing in this passage is the Zechariah's song.
N.T. Wright says:
It's a poem about God acting at last, finally doing what he promised many centuries ago, and doing it at a time when his people had had their fill of hatred and oppression. One evil empire after another had trampled them underfoot; now at last God was going to give them deliverance. We can feel the long years of pain and sorrow, of darkness and death, overshadowing his mind. Nameless enemies are lurking round the corner in his imagination and experience. No doubt it was partly this that had made him question Gabriel's word in the first place.
But we can also feel the long years of quiet prayer and trust. God had made a covenant with Abraham. God had promised to send a new David. God had spoken of a prophet who would go ahead to prepare the way. All these things he had known, believed, prayed and longed for. Now they were all to come true.
How often have you experienced what God promised come true? Is it difficult for you to wait for Jesus to come to take away your troubles? Have you been waiting too long and somewhat feel discouraged or lose heart?Don't worry, God's time is never our time. Trust that God's promise will be fulfilled in His good time.
N.T. Wright says:
It's a poem about God acting at last, finally doing what he promised many centuries ago, and doing it at a time when his people had had their fill of hatred and oppression. One evil empire after another had trampled them underfoot; now at last God was going to give them deliverance. We can feel the long years of pain and sorrow, of darkness and death, overshadowing his mind. Nameless enemies are lurking round the corner in his imagination and experience. No doubt it was partly this that had made him question Gabriel's word in the first place.
But we can also feel the long years of quiet prayer and trust. God had made a covenant with Abraham. God had promised to send a new David. God had spoken of a prophet who would go ahead to prepare the way. All these things he had known, believed, prayed and longed for. Now they were all to come true.
How often have you experienced what God promised come true? Is it difficult for you to wait for Jesus to come to take away your troubles? Have you been waiting too long and somewhat feel discouraged or lose heart?Don't worry, God's time is never our time. Trust that God's promise will be fulfilled in His good time.
Let's have a time to be still and give the Holy Spirit space to speak through the passage of scripture we have just read. Offer this time up to Jesus as you listen to him, while listening to "Gabriel's Oboe"
Spiritual Journal
What I heard from Jesus today is: God will surely act!
What I received today from Jesus is a promise from the Lord that He will surely act, but in His time and not our time.
Sometimes we'll feel insecure because God may wait for centuries to act and we don't have that time to wait. But, don't forget you can have a daily intimate relationship with Jesus and He also promised to all His children that He is never going to desert us.
It is better for us to write our song today following Zechariah's good example of how we experience the mighty power of God. Write your own personal song to count His blessings and to proclaim God's mighty act.
Sometimes we'll feel insecure because God may wait for centuries to act and we don't have that time to wait. But, don't forget you can have a daily intimate relationship with Jesus and He also promised to all His children that He is never going to desert us.
It is better for us to write our song today following Zechariah's good example of how we experience the mighty power of God. Write your own personal song to count His blessings and to proclaim God's mighty act.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Lead us to trust you totally that you will act in your good time. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
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