Daily Worship

Zechariah

Jane Denniston December 09, 2015 0 0

Luke 1: 5 - 16

5 In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. 7But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.

8 Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, 9he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. 10Now at the time of the incense-offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside.

11Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. 13But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. 14You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. 16He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.

“How long, O Lord?”
Did I truly hear your word?
Or was it just wishful thinking?
I do believe that I trust you,
And that I can trust you,
But can I trust myself to hear you?
Genuinely, honestly, accurately
Hear your promise to me?

Or is the whisper in my heart just my own desires
Masquerading as a word from you?
Do I build the house of my faith
On the sand of my ambition
Rather than the rock of your revelation?

Teach me honesty, Lord,
To hear your word
When it is uncomfortable
To await your promise
When it is tardy
To believe that what you have said, you will do.