Presence and Praise pt.2
Scripture Readings:
Luke 1:67-79
And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,
68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his people
69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David,
70 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
71 that we should be saved from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us;
72 to show the mercy promised to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant,
73 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
74 that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
might serve him without fear,
75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people
in the forgiveness of their sins,
78 because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Commentary:
Presence and Praise pt.2 (Millie White)
Zechariah had been unable to speak due to disbelief for nine months. Rather than beating himself up over his sin, he allowed the time of silence to teach him the importance of taking God at His word.
Let’s face it, we are imperfect people and all of us (at times) doubt. Often, this leads to disobedience and its subsequent consequences. If we’re not careful, we can compound our disbelief with a growing bitterness towards God. By this point, we’re prone to allow the enemy to take our minds captive with self-disappointment to the extent that we become useless in our service to God.
As I read this passage, it gave me encouragement and reminded me that God loves me and that He disciplines me for my good. It was during his time of discipline, that Zechariah learned the importance of being still and knowing that God is faithful and that His word is True. At the end of nine months, he no longer speaks words of disbelief, but now filled by the Holy Spirit, he proclaims praise to His God from a place of deep faith.
Can you just imagine the overwhelming joy he felt as he spoke the words of redemption knowing that God had been so redemptive in his own life? Think about how thankful he was to personally know the Horn of Salvation who had made this song possible.
At this point in the passage, his song may have even moved from a song to a shout of victory to his conquering King. Oh, the depth of raw emotions that must have filled his heart as he proclaimed God’s overwhelming mercy .
I am not sure of Zechariah’s posture as he ended this declaration, but I probably would be on my knees with my face to the floor issuing this prayer, thanking Him for being my shining light in the darkness of my doubt, and for guiding me with His love and discipline into a place of perfect peace.
Prayer & Reflection:
What a story for God to include in His word. A story of “disbelief” turned into a story of “Praise & Adoration”. Zechariah’s initial response reminds me of the verse in the old hymn that say’s…”prone to wander Lord I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love”.
Often times we “wander” from or “leave” God’s path through our unbelief & daily walk, but thanks be unto the Lord for his “streams of mercy that are never ceasing” and that we can say…”here’s my heart Lord, take and seal it. Seal it for thy courts above”.
During this season it would do us good to be still, stay silent, and reflect on the faithfulness of our God and our wonderful Savior. Because of His mercy and deliverance, we can come before Him without fear and in holiness and righteousness for all of our days, proclaiming to Him “songs of loudest praise.”
Lord, forgive me when I, like Zechariah, exhibit disbelief in you and your word. Thank you for the Holy Spirit who convicts me and leads me to a place of repentance. Help me to stand firm on your word and not waiver as I seek to know you, and make you known. You are my faithful God! Thank you for second chances to learn and grow as your follower. As I surrender to the Holy Spirit, use me for your glory!