Setting the Stage
Opening Prayer
God, You are able to do exceedingly beyond all I ask or imagine. Help me dream bigger and remember with Whom I partner.
Read LUKE 1:1-10
[1] Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, [2] just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. [3] With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, [4] so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. [5] In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. [6] Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. [7] But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old. [8] Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, [9] he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. [10] And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Do you dare to dream?I wonder whether Zechariah and Elizabeth had given up hope of ever having a child. If they had, you couldn’t really blame them (7). But despite disappointment, they had remained faithful to God (6). Without knowing it, they were part of a bigger plan and that plan was about to start unfolding in a most unexpected way.Zechariah had served faithfully, but he was old and childless. He and Elizabeth may have thought their best days were behind them. Then Zechariah was chosen to go into the Temple to burn incense (9). Being one of 18,000 or so priests and Levites, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. And it was going to open the way to a once-in-history experience! As we live our normal lives, going through the normal course of our normal days, we too should remain faithful to God and then expect that he is setting the stage for greater things than we are imagining. We are partnering with the King of the Universe and he is looking to move in our lives to reveal his glory. God searches for those who depend totally on him (2 Chron. 16:9) because he longs to use us to change the world.
Apply
Bring your deepest desires to God now. Pray for patience, comfort and understanding.
Closing prayer
Lord, grow my expectation as I meditate on the unimaginable reality that I am a co-laborer with the King of the Universe.
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