Daily Devotional For Sunday, December 29, 2024
Well, we have celebrated Christmas. I imagine by now you’re attempting to get your house and yard back to looking normal as the New Year 2025 is about to roll in in a couple of days. The Christmas story is one of joy, but it is also one of sadness. For example, Herod has all boys 2 years and younger murdered in Bethlehem. We can almost hear the cries and wails of those parents today. For 400 years God had been silent. That is the time frame between the end of the Old Testament book Malachi and the beginning of the New Testament with Matthew. For 400 years, people had waited for the Messiah and His forerunner to be born. You would think that for those who were religious, that would be great news and a time to celebrate.
Well for one man, a priest, it was not. When the Archangel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah in Luke 1, he doubts Gabriel’s word, which means he doubted God’s Word. The Bible tells us that Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth were old – meaning past the age of having children. Some scholars think maybe they were in their 60s, or 70s or even 80s. We are not told, but all his life, Zechariah has waited for two prayers to be answered. First, to get to burn Frankincense on the altar in the Temple right outside the Holy of Holies. The selection of this was by lots and many priests never got to do, but on this specified day, because Zechariah had been selected by lots, he is in the Temple to burn Frankincense on the altar – a sweet smelling aroma that was to symbolize as it rose up to the ceiling the people of Israel being a sweet smelling aroma for their obedience to God.
What are the odds that on the same day he is doing this, God sends an angel to tell him that he and his wife are going to have a son. Not just any son, but the forerunner to the Messiah, who we now know was John the Baptizer. Wow, the second most desired prayer answered for this priest. Yet, he did not believe God and he has to face the consequences for it. Look at Luke 1:19-20:
“The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news. (20) Now listen. You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time” (CSB).
Instead of being joyful with this “good news,” he is jaded. Many times we are just like Zechariah, aren’t we? You and I are making choices daily—sometimes multiple times a day—on what we will and won’t believe about our Almighty God. You woke up this morning already choosing to believe one thing or another about God and your life, and there are consequences attached to those choices.
In today’s verse, Zechariah is being rewarded for the way he’s led his life and the prayers he has offered, but there is still a consequence to his unbelief. He is rendered mute until his son is born. We can be part of the Church and involved in all sorts of religious activity; we can be long-standing and obedient followers of Christ; we can even go to Bible study and give regularly. But by our belief, we either engage in or forfeit opportunities. Your belief in Him determines the extent to which you engage in the miracles and opportunities around you. What has God spoken to you? Where are you being obedient but not fully believing? Today, let’s repent and add greater value to both obedience and belief.
Think about this: This story about Zechariah is a precursor to the Christmas narrative. As you engage, prepare and get ready for the New Year 2025, remain obedient to God’s Word, ask Him to reveal His truth to you and help you in any areas of unbelief. When Gabriel later appeared to Mary and announced God’s good news to her, he reminded her of this in Luke 1:37, ‘For nothing will be impossible with God” (CSB).
Questions To Consider
- You may state for the record that you believe every word from God, but so do the demons and the devil. The real issue is: Does your life live it? Does it? Why or why not? If not, what areas or issues do you at times doubt God and why?
- What truth do you need God to reveal to you today and why?
- Are there any Bible verses, passages or stories that you have either questioned in the past or do now in the present? What are they and what are your questions and doubts about them?
- When we read the Bible, though miracles are not an everyday occurrence, there are stories in both the Old & New Testament of them. Why do you think we do not see such miracles today?
- When the prophet Samuel told King Saul to go kill all the Amalekes and take none of the spoils, Saul disobeyed God and was punished severely for it. Samuel said these words to Saul in 1 Samuel 15:22, “Does the Lord take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? Look: To obey is better than sacrifice, to pay attention is better than the fat of rams” (CSB). Where do you need to obey God with trust rather than with doubt?
Scripture To Meditate On: John 11:40, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” (CSB).
Prayer To Pray: “Heavenly Father, please forgive me for the places where I have been stubborn in my unbelief, where I’ve been selfish, or where I’ve said no to You and followed my own ways. Father, I come in humility to acknowledge my sin and unbelief. I repent and choose to believe You and Your Word. Holy Spirit, I welcome You to help me change. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
I love you Southside!--Pastor Kelly
We have finally been able to take our family vacation. Audrey, Emmie and I will miss seeing you in church today but so grateful for Pastor Hunter sharing the Word of God. The devotionals will resume Monday, January 6, 2025.