Sunday Devotion 1/31/21

• The Revival of Zacharias can be Your revival too!​
• Luke 1v68..”Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people, He has raised up a horn of salvation for us!”
  Luke 1v11-22, 57-80 relates the true story of how a high priest of Israel, a Godly man by any mans standard, is changed from someone going through the motions of religion, to a man revived and filled with zeal.
  Zacharias was a very spiritual man. He was doing the work of the priesthood. He was careful to obey all the requirements of the law. He knew the scriptures, particularly the Torah by heart..Yet he was missing something. As he was going about his yearly exercises in the temple, he had no expectations of meeting God there, not for real anyway.. He had trained for this moment his whole life. It was a very high honor, one few of the priesthood would every get..He had prayed really good prayers. He had sacrificed properly and cleaned Himself properly..But much of what he was doing was coming from human good mixed with a desire to be obedient to God. Tragically many others had served the Lord Most High in a similar manner over the centuries as well..Though he was in a holy place, he had no intentions of truly meeting with the Holy One.
  ”But God, rich in mercy and abounding in steadfast love..”(Eph2v4), had another plan for Zacharias. (Luke 1v11,12) When Zacharias encountered true holiness, his response was fear! (V12) And in his fear he spoke in disbelief, which brought about some discipline; He couldn’t speak until his son was born.
  During his 9 months of silence he had the opportunity to dwell on the revelation that had been given to him. In this time he came to the clear understanding of the fact that the God who created all things, was sending His Son as a Savior for all men. Zacharias was excited at the role of his son John, but much greater was the message his son was to proclaim; 1v76b,77,.. “For you will go before the face of The Lord to prepare His ways, To give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins..”
  We, like Zacharias, have often come to the House of The Lord with little intention of hearing from God. We come out of obedience or obligation, and our ears have gotten stuffy because our intent is incorrect. When we do hear God clearly speak, we question,”Are You for real? Did You really tell me to quit one thing or begin another?” Over time we can lose our zeal because we fear that ‘The Father’ is not a God who speaks, even though He speaks quite clearly.
  Heb. 12v25-29..”See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven..For our God is a consuming fire!” Go to the place where God is. Where His prophets speak. Listen with the intent of hearing from God Most High and praising Him, then leave with the intent of doing His will. With this revival of spirit you will grow richer in faith and become a more zealous messenger for Christ like Zacharias was.
  Pray, Father, I admit I have come so many times to Your house just to check off the box that I went that week. I fear I wasn’t seeking Your will or giving glory to You as I should have. Your mercy is so great and your patience so long-suffering..as Samuel said,.”Speak Lord for your servant hears.” I will do as You say..Thank You as always for Your forgiveness through Your Son..Help me to hear as You direct my steps daily, O Lord of my salvation. In Jesus name..Amen