Today's Scripture
TODAY’S READING SCHEDULE: 1 Chronicles 4-6; Luke 1:1-20
More than we ask – Luke 1:5-20
5 During the rule of King Herod of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah. His wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron. 6 They were both righteous before God, blameless in their observance of all the Lord’s commandments and regulations. 7 They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to become pregnant and they both were very old. 8 One day Zechariah was serving as a priest before God because his priestly division was on duty. 9 Following the customs of priestly service, he was chosen by lottery to go into the Lord’s sanctuary and burn incense. 10 All the people who gathered to worship were praying outside during this hour of incense offering. 11 An angel from the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw the angel, he was startled and overcome with fear.
13 The angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah. Your prayers have been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will give birth to your son and you must name him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many people will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the Lord’s eyes. He must not drink wine and liquor. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before his birth. 16 He will bring many Israelites back to the Lord their God. 17 He will go forth before the Lord, equipped with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will turn the hearts of fathers[a] back to their children, and he will turn the disobedient to righteous patterns of thinking. He will make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
18 Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure of this? My wife and I are very old.”
19 The angel replied, “I am Gabriel. I stand in God’s presence. I was sent to speak to you and to bring this good news to you. 20 Know this: What I have spoken will come true at the proper time. But because you didn’t believe, you will remain silent, unable to speak until the day when these things happen.”
What does this passage mean to me/us?
I had a great time, enjoying the friendship and presence of my friend visiting our house. We were able to catch up and share how God is working in our lives. Our conversation frequently pointed us back to how God works in ways, more than we asked for.
During our conversation, we shared how sometimes it feels selfish to ask God for something. Somehow it seems like we are selfish. However, we also know that not asking God, because we are self-sufficient is neither healthy. We concluded to thank God for what God is doing in our lives and to find where we need to better rely on God.
In our passage, we see how Zechariah and Elizabeth have been praying to God. They did not have a child, and that must have been a devastating burden to their family. Zechariah worked for the temple, and they must have wanted someone to carry out the priestly duty. So, they prayed to God and must have prayed for a long time.
God is a God who answers our prayers in God’s time and in God’s way. The timing was later than Zechariah and Elizabeth must have wanted. And the prophecy of the child, who was to make way for the coming Lord, must have been more than what they ever imagined. Maybe that was why Zechariah had a hard time believing.
However, we need to remember that God will make a way and answer our prayers. Not in our terms. Not when we want or how we want. It will be God’s will being done in our lives. So why not present our lives to God through our prayers.
Prayer
Lord, when we pray, may your will be done
In Christ Name we pray, AMEN.
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