Devotions
Rev Gav
Promise
Luke 1.69-75
He has sent us a mighty Savior
from the royal line of his servant David,
just as he promised
through his holy prophets long ago.
Now we will be saved from our enemies
and from all who hate us.
He has been merciful to our ancestors
by remembering his sacred covenant—
the covenant he swore with an oath
to our ancestor Abraham.
We have been rescued from our enemies
so we can serve God without fear,
in holiness and righteousness
for as long as we live.
Reflect
Zechariah’s song was about God finally intervening in a world of hurt and pain. The Jewish people were, yet again, oppressed by an occupying force. First it was the Egyptians, then the Assyrians, then the Greeks, and this time it was the Romans. Yet, God had made a deal with Abraham (the father of the Jewish people) and this promise was that the world would be blessed through Abraham’s descendants — through the nation of Israel — and particularly through the royal line of King David. When this happened, the nation of Israel would be rescued and forever made righteous before God, and God was about to come good on his/her promise.
Holding on to a promise when everything is going pear-shaped is not an easy thing to do. Zechariah and others like him were trusting in a promise made centuries before, contrary to the evidence in the world around them. Christians live in a similar hope, based on the promises of Jesus, that there will come a time when there is no more pain or suffering. They also believe that they are called to be part of God’s solution for the world in the here and now — to be God’s representatives ahead of that time.
Do you find it difficult to trust in the promise of God for the world when faced with daily news that tells of war, famine, and poverty? Or perhaps, closer to home, do you find it difficult to trust in the promises of God when there is heartache and pain in your own situation?
Today, like flawed and ordinary Zechariah, make the decision to trust that, through Jesus Christ, God will come good on his promise.
Why do you think people like Zechariah still hoped and trusted in God’s promises, even though everything in society seemed to be going wrong?
Pray
Holy God
I trust in the promises of Jesus,
that one day he will return,
and all pain and suffering will end.
Until that day comes,
may I shine like a light in the darkness
and bring your love and peace to the world.
This day and for ever.
and then