VERSE FOR TODAY: When Zachariahs saw him, [the angel Gabriel] he was troubled, and fear upon him (Luke 1:12).
HYMN FOR TODAY: "O Come, O Come Emmanuel"
Zachariah's, a priest, "righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, blameless" (verse 6), had entered the Holy Place alone to burn incense before God when the angel of the Lord suddenly appeared. Outside, many people were praying.
Zachariahs was so fearful and troubled that the angel Gabriel's first words were, "Fear not, Zachariahs." And then Gabriel told him astounding news. A life long prayer of Zachariahs and his wife that they may have a child--soon be answered! This son would be "a joy and delight to you. . . for he will be great I the sight of the Lord" (Luke 1:14, New International Version). But it was almost as if the last thing this righteous, blameless man actually expected was as answer to prayer. His first response? Doubt. He even explained to the angel what he felt the angel couldn't possibly know, that he and his wife were too old.
When we pray, do we seek to listen to God, or do we tell Him what He hadn't figured out? Do we miss the magnitude of good things, even when we're righteous and blameless and standing in His presence in prayer?
PRAYER THOUGHT: Dearest Father, may we pray in hope and faith and joy, believing every word of Your good news. Amen.
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