22^nd December 2024.

Alex Buabeng-Korsah

Theme: THE VOICE OF REVIVAL

THEME SCRIPTURE: "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 1:17 KJV

PREPARATORY QUESTION

1. How zealous is your love for your Lord?

Long before John the Baptist was born, the prophecy had gone forth that there is coming a voice that will be crying in the wilderness, "Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God" (Isa 40:3). As such, when the angel appeared to Zacharias in the Temple, he indicated that John would be filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb (Luke 1:15), being the forerunner to the Messiah. His assignment was clearly defined and rehearsed into the ears of his father Zacharias. This is what the angel told John's father:

"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 1:16-17).

Beloved, John's assignment was clearly defined and that definition came from God. What was this newborn baby given to Zacharias going to live for?

First, the angel indicated that because of John many of the children of Israel shall be turned to God, signifying that many birthright children of God will truly get to know Him. In those days, there were many who were born to parents who were Israelites, so automatically they became part of God's chosen. Today also, there are many professing Christians who do not really know God. Rather, by reason of their parents being Christians, they have been born into the faith. They have been pulled through the faith but have never experienced the God of the faith.

Beloved, John's ministry was also going to turn the heart of the fathers to the children, signifying family revival.

Authentic love between family members is one sign of God’s presence. The bad news is that the real you is the person you are at home with your family. You may perform well at church and on the job, but the real test comes in how you treat the people you live with every day. Abusive fathers will turn to their children, and rebellious children to their parents.

He [John] was to turn the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just. The wisdom of the justified [by God] is that wisdom that is from above. It is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy (Jam 3:17). These all are to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

Precious one, in this season would you say that you are ready for the Lord? 

Personally, are you experiencing God day by day, or has it been spiritual dryness all this while? Is there peace and love in your home as we prepare to celebrate the birth of the King of Kings? Is your heart tuned in to the wisdom that is from above?

Beloved, let this season be a time where those who have not had an experience with God encounter a personal revival.

 Families wallowing in turmoil would come together in love, and rebellious hearts would be tuned in to God's wisdom.

Remain blessed.

FURTHER READING: Luke 1:1-17

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.

 QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD

1. How is your heart prepared towards God as we approach Christmas?

2. What revival do you need to be prepared for your Lord?

PRAYER

Precious Father, I yield unto you today my heart. Help me to know you more and more. In this season, any acrimony in my family is dissolved, paving the way for the love of Christ. I receive a renewed and revived heart towards God, in Jesus' precious name. Glory Hallelujah!

ONE-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

 Job 33,  Zechariah 9,  Revelation 7,  Revelation 8,  Revelation 9