Reading Our Daily Devotions As Our Daily Manna

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2022

TEXT: Luke 1:14-25

14. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth,

15. 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.

16. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.

17. 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.

18. Zechariah said to the angel, “How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.”

19. The angel replied, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.

20. But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.”

21. Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary.

22. When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak.

23. When his time of service was ended, he went to his home.

24. After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said,

25. “This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.”

(New Revised Standard Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: TOO MUCH TO BELIEVE

Some things are hard to believe because they are too good or incredible to be true.

Although the news about the child was good, Zechariah could not celebrate it instantly because his wife was already old. Zechariah’s doubt caused him to remain dumb until the birth of the child (Luke 1:19-20).

However, his wife celebrated her pregnancy as she considered it to be God’s favour to take away her disgrace. God informed Zechariah that the child’s ministry would bring joy to his family and the nation of Israel because he would be God’s messenger.

God sees our faithfulness and can decide to reward us at His appropriate time. As He surprised Zechariah, He may decide to visit you with favour whenever He chooses, if you are always available to Him.

QUESTION: Do you have any problem that you think is too big for God to solve?

PRAYER: Dear Lord, help me to trust You and always avail myself for Your will to be done, in Jesus name, Amen.