Daily Reading: Luke 1
Scripture Focus: Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. (Luke 1.8-9)
Devotional Thought: Zechariah and Elizabeth were both old and considered beyond the age of bearing children. But, God had a different plan. Zechariah, who was a priest, was serving in the temple one day, and God sent the angel Gabriel to him with the good news that he and his wife were going to have a baby! What struck me in the story was the fact that God came and blessed this man as he performed the regular – some would say mundane – duties of his ministry. Zechariah was not doing anything extraordinary when he received the visit from Gabriel. His division was on duty. He was fulfilling the custom of the priesthood. He was chosen by lot. None of those things sound terribly exciting or super-spiritual. But, the important fact was that when he did what he knew to do, God appeared on the scene!
Do you need God to appear in your life? Would you benefit from a vision and message from God? I would recommend that you consider Zechariah, and do the things you know to do. Read your Bible. Pray. Serve in the church. Witness. Tithe. Live a holy and compassionate life.
Consider the words of Paul as he quoted Moses: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’” (Romans 10.6-8).
Walk with God! He will come.
Prayer: Lord, in this season I am reminded that after 400 years of silence, you first spoke through an angel to a man doing the "mundane things" of life and service. Come to me this season, Lord, as I walk with you in service, in duty, in custom, and in the "temple." Amen.
Psalm of the Day: Psalm 132.13-18
13 For the Lord has chosen Zion;
he has desired it for his dwelling place:
14 “This is my resting place forever;
here I will dwell, for I have desired it.
15 I will abundantly bless her provisions;
I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16 Her priests I will clothe with salvation,
and her saints will shout for joy.
17 There I will make a horn to sprout for David;
I have prepared a lamp for my anointed.
18 His enemies I will clothe with shame,
but on him his crown will shine.”
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