Big Point: God is at work in all places and at all times.Have you ever had to wait in a hospital waiting room? When it’s for the birth of a baby, the room is filled with anticipation, but most others are filled with a range of emotions, including anticipation, but also stress and tension, quiet, sometimes relief and gratitude, or even silence because there’s been no word, no news.
The time between the Old Testament’s ending and...
the New Testament’s beginning was also a time with a range of emotions and experiences, including silence. God did not speak to the Jewish people for 400 years, there had been no “heavenly visitors” for 500 years, no news, but yet there remained anticipation. While several prophesies had been fulfilled, God’s people were still oppressed (by the Romans as we pick up the story) so it was a culture that was waiting to hear from God and expectant of the promise of a Savior.
the New Testament’s beginning was also a time with a range of emotions and experiences, including silence. God did not speak to the Jewish people for 400 years, there had been no “heavenly visitors” for 500 years, no news, but yet there remained anticipation. While several prophesies had been fulfilled, God’s people were still oppressed (by the Romans as we pick up the story) so it was a culture that was waiting to hear from God and expectant of the promise of a Savior.
As John Piper, famous pastor and teacher, says, “Now something dramatic happens. All of a sudden angels start to appear. And all of a sudden God starts to speak and reveal His Word and miracles begin to happen.” This is where the disciple Luke begins his account of Jesus’ arrival, with the news from an angel to Zechariah, a priest, that his wife Elizabeth would bear a son, the one prophesied to come right before Jesus (Isaiah 40:3). Despite their advanced age and Elizabeth’s barrenness, their prayers would be answered and God’s silence was broken.
READ IT… What does the Bible say?
Luke 1:13-17 (New International Version)
13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 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.”
Question: What two things does the angel tell Zechariah that his son would do?
Answer:
BELIEVE IT… What is the lesson for me?
Read Isaiah 40:3-5 and John 3:28. Using those verses with the verses from today, what does the angel say to Zechariah that, even after years of silence, confirms God’s plan was still at work?
LIVE IT… What will I do now?
Think of a time when God has been silent for you or even if it’s now, what would it look like for you to live ready and prepared for the Lord, trusting that He is working in all places and at all times?
PRAY… Dear God, I trust that Your plan is always at work. Help me to be prepared for how You will use me and to be faithful in where You have me today. Amen.
from Living It Out
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