Luke 1:8-20
One day Zechariah was doing his work as a priest in the Temple, taking his turn in the daily service. According to the custom followed by the priests, he was chosen by lot to burn incense at the altar. So he went to the Temple of the Lord, while the crowd of people outside prayed during the hour when the incense was burned. An angel of the Lord appeared to him, he was alarmed and felt afraid. (how would you have felt in that situation?) but the angel said to him, “Don’t be afraid Zachariah! God has heard your prayer, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son. You are to name him John. How glad and happy you will be, and how happy others will be when he is born! John will be great in the Lord’s sight. He must not drink any wine or strong drink. From his very birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, and he will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. He will go ahead of the Lord, strong and mighty like the prophet Elijah. He will bring fathers and children together again; He will turn disobedient people back to the way of the righteous; he will get the Lord’s people ready for him.” Zachariah said to the angel, “How shall I know if this is so? I am an old man, and my wife is old also.” “I am Gabriel,” the angel answered. “I stand in the presence of God, who sent me to speak with you and tell you this good news. But you have not believed my message, which will come true at the right time. Because you have not believed, you will be unable to speak; you will remain silent until the day my promise to you comes true.” Luke 1:8-20 (GNT)
Many times we struggle with unanswered prayers. Zachariah had difficulties with an answered prayer because the timing didn’t seem right. Maybe it would be good to remember that God is smarter than any of us. The lady in the story I am sharing today may help us in our faith story.
A very poor woman called a radio station asking for help from God. A non-believer who was also listening decided to make fun of the woman. He got the woman’s address from the radio station and told his secretary to carry a large amount of food to the woman. However, he gave her the following instruction, “when the woman asks who sent the food, tell her it is from the devil.”
When the secretary arrived at the woman’s house, the woman was very happy and grateful for the help received. The woman then asked who sent the food and the secretary responded as told, “The devil sent it.”
The woman smiled and then responded, “Isn’t it remarkable that when GOD orders, even the DEVIL obeys!”
A good one for us to remember: EVEN THE DEVIL LISTENS TO GOD!!!
Question for Reflection:
- Remember a time when God surprised you with a wonderful gift?
Prayer:
Lord, we thank you for the many blessings you have given to us. We take so much for granted that we ask for your forgiveness. We ask that you help us work to make your creation better as Zachariah’s son John did. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen
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