21^st December 2024

 Alex Buabeng-Korsah

 Theme: THE BEGINNING OF THE GOOD NEWS

THEME SCRIPTURE: "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. They both were righteous (approved) in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. But they were childless, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both far advanced in years." Luke 1:5-7 AMP

PREPARATORY QUESTION

1. What is it that God cannot do?

2. Why is it that it seems sometimes He does not want to do what we pray to Him about?

Both Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth were of the priestly stock of Israel. It is recorded that they were both righteous, not necessarily before men but before God. Further, they were without a child, which was not a good thing for a Jew who believed that children are the means by which we prolong our days after we are dead. As though that was not enough, they were both stricken in years. Their chance of having a child was negligible. The couple had been praying for years to God for a child, but there was no change.

 Beloved, righteous people in scripture also had their fair share of what seems to be unfairness walking with God.

But something unexpected happened. The priest Zacharias had an angelic visitation while ministering in the Temple. Fear gripped the old man, and the message of the angel was simply this: "Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." (Luke 1:13-17). Hallelujah!

Beloved, it is interesting to note that though Zacharias had been praying, yet he never believed God would answer him. Standing before an angel and trembling with fear, Zacharias found courage to ask, "How will I be certain of this? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in age." (Luke 1:18). Zacharias knew his condition too well he could not receive the divine message.

Even though Zacharias did not believe God while praying, and when the angel appeared to him, yet God had a superior plan for the couple. It was time for the beginning of the good news, and someone must prepare the way. God had chosen the couple to bring forth the forerunner to Jesus, John, into the world.

God had waited long enough to let the request of Zacharias and his wife coincide with His purpose. So that the couple can have what they want and God's cause can be advanced.

Truly, John was born according to the words of the angel of God.

Precious One, in this season when we commemorate the life of our Saviour, let's remember that if things have not gone according to our plans this year, it is because God had a different plan.

 Let's keep trusting Him. Things around you may seem so unfair to bear as a child of God. You may be wondering, "Where is my God?" There's a timing you must not miss. There is an hour of visitation. Keep trusting Him.

For out of the eater comes forth meat and out of the strong comes forth sweetness (Judges 14:14).

 Hannah did not just get a son but a prophet. Manoa and his wife had a judge, and Elizabeth had a forerunner to Christ with the spirit and power of Elijah. All these people went through tough times with God but they prevailed.

 For your shame God will give you double, and for your seeming delay God will give you value. For your confusion, you shall rejoice in your portion (Isa 61:7).

Keep trusting Him: it is the beginning of the good news.

Remain blessed.

FURTHER READING: Luke 1:1-24

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.

 QUESTION TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD

1. How well are you doing when it comes to trusting God when you seem not to understand what's going on in your life?

PRAYER

Eternal Father, it is a season we remember how you launched your divine program to save mankind through your Son Jesus. Please, Lord, I receive your help today to go through any difficulty. In Jesus' precious name. Hallelujah!

ONE-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

 Job 31,  Job 32,  Zechariah 8,  Revelation 5,  Revelation 6