24 December 2024

Alex Buabeng-Korsah

Theme: BLESSED ARE YOU WHO BELIEVE

THEME SCRIPTURE: "And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord." Luke 1:45 KJV

PREPARATORY QUESTION

1. Does it occur to you that if God went that far to give us Jesus, He is willing to give us our sincere expectations?

 

Zacharias' reaction to all that the angel had predicted was unbelief. It was all too good to be true. He was like Thomas, the disciple who doubted the Resurrection and said, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe”(John 20:25). He was given proof and he believed.

This is how the exchange went: The angel told Zacharias that he and Elizabeth were going to have a son. Zacharias argued that he was an old man. The angel then pulls rank. He says, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God.” In other words, “God sent me. How dare you argue with me?” Zacharias could not believe the good news, chiefly because of his age. There is the story of a ninety-year-old man who had a knee problem and he went to see his doctor. His doctor said to him, "At your age what do you expect?" He replied the doctor, "I expect you to fix the knee. My other knee is the same age and it works fine."

 Age can be a huge barrier to faith, such that we begin to feel that we are shut in or restricted, and there is no way out.

Precious one, this Christmas, should an angel show up in your room to inform you that your prayers have been answered, will it be too good to be true to you? Or, you're too old for it to happen in your life? As the year is almost concluded, have you thrown your hands in the air and said, "Game Over"? It is not over yet beloved. If you can draw inspiration from the season, that God will go to every extent to save mankind from his troubles, you will renew your strength to trust Him for results. We have all been guilty at some point for getting tired of waiting on God, such that we settled for less. We have gotten into ungodly affairs because of loneliness, taken wrong jobs out of desperation, or rated ourselves as good for nothing because nothing seemed to be happening in our lives.

Zacharias went dumb because of his unbelief. Unbelief can be expensive.

It is interesting that six months later, the same angel Gabriel came to a virgin by the name Mary. She was also given news of glad tidings that were strange. As a virgin, she was going to get pregnant and bring forth a son (Luke 1:31), who will be great and shall be called the Son of the Most High (Luke 1:32). This was too good to be true so Mary inquired how this miracle was going to happen. Thinking that a man was going to be sent her way, the angel announced that the pregnancy is going to be by the agency of the Holy Spirit. "What is this? How is this going to be explained to onlookers, the Pharisees, and relatives?"

Mary couldn't wrap her head around this "Holy Ghost agency" thing. But her response was proof of her deep faith in God. 

Mary said unto the angel, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." (Luke 1:38).

 Mary chose to leave the most difficult part to God—how things are going to play out. Rather, she held on to the easy part—For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Precious one, Mary believed and she conceived the King. What have you believed as you prepare for Christmas? Have you believed that without the birth there could never  have been the death? Have you believed that God has reached out to mankind to save us through His Son? Have you believed that God's love for you is so large and immensely rich? If you have, then blessed are you: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told you from the Lord.

Remain blessed.

 

FURTHER READING: Luke 1:23-45

 

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. As you look forward to celebrating Christmas, where stands your faith? In God or in circumstances?

 

CONFESSION

Eternal Father, I believe. I believe that you alone truly love mankind and me in particular. I believe that every word that proceeds out of your mouth will not return to you void. I believe that in the fullness of time, your word became flesh and dwelt among us. I believe, Lord. Hallelujah!

 

ONE-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Job 35,  Job 36,  Zechariah 11,  Revelation 12,  Revelation 13