Advent Day 4
17 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.”
18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”
19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”
Luke 1:17-20
We are anticipating the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, our Lord. This is advent. And this year we are following Luke’s gospel as he passes on to us the eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ life.
So. Spoiler if you didn’t know. John is not the chosen one. But before we see how we know for sure, here we have a little hint. Like so many of God’s prophets before him, John is not born in faith.
Zechariah hears the announcement of the angels and it’s just too good to be true. Now, I’m sure we have some sympathy. Imagine being, you know, like 70 or 80 and hearing someone say, you are going to have a child. But let’s also remember, it’s an angel speaking on behalf of God.
The point here is faith. Zechariah should have trusted God in faith. Is not this the LORD who can speak the universe into existence?
But why the whole silent treatment? Actually, it’s funny. How can Zechariah know the Lord is able to do what He promised? Well, here’s a sign. Just as God can make Zechariah mute - so He can bring life to a womb.
Do you ever ask God for a sign? Be careful what you wish for! Like Zechariah, we don’t need to ask God for a sign - because He has already given us one. He has spoken and His Word is truth.
For Today:
Pray:
18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”
19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”
Luke 1:17-20
We are anticipating the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, our Lord. This is advent. And this year we are following Luke’s gospel as he passes on to us the eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ life.
So. Spoiler if you didn’t know. John is not the chosen one. But before we see how we know for sure, here we have a little hint. Like so many of God’s prophets before him, John is not born in faith.
Zechariah hears the announcement of the angels and it’s just too good to be true. Now, I’m sure we have some sympathy. Imagine being, you know, like 70 or 80 and hearing someone say, you are going to have a child. But let’s also remember, it’s an angel speaking on behalf of God.
The point here is faith. Zechariah should have trusted God in faith. Is not this the LORD who can speak the universe into existence?
But why the whole silent treatment? Actually, it’s funny. How can Zechariah know the Lord is able to do what He promised? Well, here’s a sign. Just as God can make Zechariah mute - so He can bring life to a womb.
Do you ever ask God for a sign? Be careful what you wish for! Like Zechariah, we don’t need to ask God for a sign - because He has already given us one. He has spoken and His Word is truth.
For Today:
- Have you ever asked God for a sign?
- Do you trust in God’s promises? Particularly His promises about Jesus?
- Is there a particular promise of God you need to remember today?
Pray:
- Praise the Father that He is faithful to all His promises.
- Give thanks for Jesus who fulfills the promises of God.
- Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others trust in God’s promises.
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