Stay Tuned To Our Daily Devotions

MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2022

TEXT: Luke 1:5-13

5. In the days of Herod [the Great], king of Judea, there was a certain priest whose name was Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron [the first high priest of Israel], and her name was Elizabeth.

6. They both were righteous (approved) in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.

7. But they were childless, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both far advanced in years.

8. Now it happened while Zacharias was serving as priest before God in the appointed order of his priestly division,

9. as was the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter [the sanctuary of] the temple of the Lord and burnt incense [on the altar of incense].

10. And all the congregation was praying outside [in the court of the temple] at the hour of the incense offering.

11. And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense.

12. When Zacharias saw the angel, he was troubled and overcome with fear.

13. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, because your petition [in prayer] was heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John.”

(Amplified Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: APPOINTED TIME TO BE BLESSED

Sometimes you see a godly man suffering which may have the tendency of weakening his faith. Such situations can make the ungodly doubt the believer’s faith or the power of God.

Like Abraham, Zechariah, a godly man, was old and without a child. But both Zechariah and Elizabeth, his wife, were upright in the sight of God and observed His “Commandments and regulations blamelessly” (v. 6 NIV).

Some preachers say that certain people do not have children due to their lack of faith. However, our God who knows man and the causes of everything surrounding his life surprised Zechariah’s family at the appropriate time.

First, he was promoted to the position of the high priest of Israel. Secondly, God visited him with the good news of a child as answer to the couple’s prayers.

Therefore, every believer needs to keep following and serving the Lord faithfully until the appointed time when He will visit you mightily.

QUESTION: Are you facing some challenges that are threatening your faith in the Lord?

PRAYER: Lord Almighty, please grant me the grace to keep trusting in You till the end of my life, in Jesus name, Amen.