Blogging through the Gospels: Luke 1:1-38!

Good Morning!

And "Happy Monday" to everyone! Where did the month of May go to, anyway? I can't believe we are in our last week of this month already.

Today we start our Scripture reading in the book of Luke. Since the first chapter is rather a long one, the reading schedule has it divided into two parts and today we will only read through verse 38. Beautiful stories shared here. Can you only imagine if an angel gave YOU a birth announcement--or prebirth announcement anyway--to your own child? That is exactly what happened to one couple. And a wonderful announcement it was, too!

Scripture:

"He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord..." Luke 1:14,15

Observation:

These words were spoken to Zechariah the priest, but they were not spoken by just a regular person. No, these words were spoken by an angel, and not just ANY angel either, but by Gabriel who identifies himself and says "I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news." Pretty good source, wouldn't you say? So the God over the whole universe sent one of His angels to tell Zechariah that he and Elizabeth were going to have a child. This is not exactly an every-day occurrance! Oh, people have babies every day, but how many of them are announced by an angel?

So what was so special about THIS baby? Zechariah was told the baby would be a "joy and delight to you," but what I find so interesting is the reason why. The verse goes on to give the answer to this question--"for he will be great in the sight of the Lord."

Application:

That's IT! That is the key right there. If I as a parent want my children to be a "joy and delight" to me, it is only going to happen if the second part is fulfilled--they must be "great in the sight of the Lord." For if they chose to follow God in an upright way, then it really doesn't matter if they are a dishwasher, a bus driver, a preacher or a stay-at-home mom. It only matters that they are working wherever God has asked them to work. And they will be a joy and delight.

Prayer:

Dear Father--What an awesome job You have given me, to lead my "little ones" to You. Forgive me my sins, and make me like Zechariah and Elizabeth were--upright in Your sight, observing all of Your commandments and regulations blamelessly.