Luke 1:18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”
34″How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
We see in our text two different conversations resulting in a request to explain.
To explain is to:
Make plain and comprehensible
Give details; define scope and structure
Serve as a reason, cause or justification of
Have you ever been in a situation that demanded you defend or exonerate yourself? What do you say? Where do you start? How will you convey it? Is it going to make sense?
Let me give you a few examples:
How does Abraham explain that God has asked him to sacrifice his one and only son of promise?
How does Israel explain that God delivered them from Egypt only to lead them to a dead end – the red sea?
How does Mary explain she’s pregnant although she’s never been with a man?
How does Jesus explain that He – The Messiah will die, be buried and be raised in three days?
How can I be sure of this? How could this be? Help me understand – Explain! There are some things (enigmas, mysteries, and whodunits) in life that you may never be able to explain although there is an answer somewhere.
Like Mary, you are blessed and highly favoured plus flavoured but on death row. You are pregnant with destiny and carry greatness yet there is a contention for your very life and destiny. It seems like you are that one clay The Potter is endlessly working on the wheel. It is evident you are appointed and anointed by God but yet you have nothing tangible to show for it. Break it down – explain.
The prophet Isaiah said:
Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. Isaiah 64:4
Paul echoed same thoughts when he wrote:The experts of our day haven’t a clue about what this eternal plan is. If they had, they wouldn’t have killed the Master of the God-designed life on a cross. That’s why we have this Scripture text:
No one’s ever seen or heard anything like this, Never so much as imagined anything quite like it—What God has arranged for those who love him.1 Corinthians 2:8b -9
And I heard God say:
I am acting on your behalf: I am your representative – I am for you! I am arranging things: I am your organizer – I will fix it!
So Friend, be confident it’ll work out for your good – anyway – anyhow!
Therefore, let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always]. Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.] Colossians 3:15, John 14:27
Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weakling say, “I am strong!Joel 3:10
Friend, you may not look strong but you are! People or circumstances might have told you otherwise but it’s a LIE! There is no one God has created faint or feeble in all aspects, you at least have a handful or jar of something (2 Kings 4:1-7).
There is an area where you are in charge, a specialist, a cut above the rest, immune to attack or failure; have authority, influence and power greater than average or expected – that’s your strength! For some that’s drawing, sewing, singing, dancing, writing, teaching, leading, reading, critiquing, cooking, praying… whatever it is, you’ve got something!
You may not feel adequate to accomplish certain tasks presently due to some limitations but you are about to ditch those limits!
In our text, the people had plows and pruning tools (useful for farming) when what they really needed was swords and spears (useful for fighting). Joel by the word of the Lord encouraged them to increase their strength (opportunity and capacity) by transforming their present realities (plows and spades) into future possibilities (swords and spears). To do this, they needed to beat – put into shape or better condition by pressure which involved some offensive, violent but strategic exertion on the tools.
Are you under pressure? Do you feel perplexed, shaken, beaten or pressed? Hang in there, its part of the process. God is preparing you. The good news is you will come out better and you already have what it takes for your transformation and expansion to occur.When the widow needed to pay some creditors, she had a jar of oil God used. Furthermore, when the wine ran out at the wedding in Galilee, the celebrants had pots of water Jesus used. Similarly, you too have something God can work with to strengthen you the more.
Although Leah had weak eyes, she had a strong womb! Don’t allow your weaknesses to overshadow your strengths; beat your plowshares into swords and your pruninghooks into spears; let the weak say, I am strong.
The disciples had just come back from fishing. After a long night of work, they find out a table has been prepared for them. An irresistible invitation
Breakfast is the first meal of the day (usually in the morning) – the breaking of the night-long fast.
What an invitation? Most of all, Jesus fixed it! Charcoal fire was laid with fish on the grill. He had bread too. And if they fancied a cuppa, He would have fixed some too. What an experience? A treat to a sumptuous and delicious meal, by the sea-side.
Breakfast has been considered the most important meal of the day. I believe in the power of the first, in that whatever you do first could set the tone for the rest. When you pull up your chair to God’s table to eat the bread of life first thing, it equips you for the day. Jesus set the atmosphere:
There was fire signifying warmth, bread for sustenance and fish, productivity and abundance. This is all youget when you join Jesus for brekkie.
I don’t know about you but I could with some TLC, strength and an abundance of faith today. If you want some, all you’ve got to do is:
O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. …Shout out to God in celebration!
…Shout to God with cries of joy!
…Shout to God with joyful praise!
…Shout to God with loud songs of joy!
…Shout to God with a voice of singing!
This passage makes us understand there is a distinct voice with which we should shout unto God. A clear definition of this type of voice means there’s at least one other type of shout. Here’s what Ezra says:
But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy. No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise. And the sound was heard far away. Ezra 3:12-13
Often times, we go through situations that tend to stop, pause or dilute our praise. The last time you shouted, was it a clear-cut sound? Was it a sound of weeping or rejoicing? Anything in between wouldn’t do because Jesus said:
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! Revelation 3:15
The passage also says the sound was heard far away, meaning people who were not in close proximity knew quite well there was a shout taking place on the other end. Just as heaven takes notice of your shout, hell does likewise.
We are admonished to shout with a joyful praise which also is interpreted a voice of triumph. This somewhat implies that the type of sound you release is indicative of your status or position.
Was it a sound of weeping or rejoicing that brought down the wall of Jericho? Selah!
Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 1 Corinthians 14:8
Your sound or voice shows your position – whether you are a winner or loser, so release the proper sound. In closing, let’s look at some scripture that emphasize the importance of your sound (shout):
The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang: “He is good; his love endures forever.” Then the temple of the LORD was filled with the cloud. 2 Chronicles 5:13
Yet in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem that are deserted, inhabited by neither people nor animals, there will be heard once more; the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those who bring thank offerings to the house of the LORD, saying, “Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, for the LORD is good; his love endures forever.” For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were before,’ says the LORD. Jeremiah 33:10b-11
But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the LORD.’” Jonah 2:9
Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous. Psalm 118:15a
The people the Lord has rescued will come back singing as they enter Zion. Happiness will be a crown they will always wear. They will celebrate and shout because all sorrows and worries will be gone far away. Isaiah 35:10 -11
For you will go out [from exile] with joy, and be led forth [by the LORD Himself] with peace; the mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Isaiah 55:12
My servants will sing out of the joy of their hearts. Isaiah 65:14a
From them will come songs of thanksgiving and the sound of rejoicing. I will add to their numbers, and they will not be decreased; I will bring them honour, and they will not be disdained. Jeremiah 30:19
6 Zechariah and Elizabeth had God’s approval. They followed all the Lord’s commands and regulations perfectly. 7 Yet, they never had any children because Elizabeth couldn’t become pregnant. Both of them were too old to have children.8 Zechariah was on duty with his division of priests. As he served in God’s presence, 9 he was chosen by priestly custom to go into the Lord’s temple to burn incense. 10 All the people were praying outside while he was burning incense.11 Then, to the right of the incense altar, an angel of the Lord appeared to him. 12 Zechariah was troubled and overcome with fear.13 The angel said to him, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife Elizabeth will have a son, and you will name him John.
The first lesson from this text is that you can be in good standing with God and have challenges. Zachariah and Elizabeth were approved by God yet had no children – which are considered blessings from God. In spite of this, we read that Zechariah went ahead to work his shift – nothing extraordinary than that which he had been called to – Priesthood.
The question is what is your calling? What part are you playing in the kingdom? Are you truly fulfilling your purpose? Note that whatever God places in your hands, he demands! Obedience pays.
The scripture says Zechariah was chosen by lot or custom for the service of the sanctuary. Friend, this means you have been hand-picked by God for such a time as this.
For many are called, but few are chosen. Matthew 22:14
Zechariah was dedicated to his job. He didn’t call off sick or do a “no call -no show” as some people would – He showed up and God met him there. Isn’t it amazing to know that God can turn up in the middle of your worship, intercession or service just to meet your need?
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. Hebrews 6:10
Zechariah was childless and old but yet that did not deter him from making it to the sanctuary. I imagine there might have been some kind of event, for instance a demonstration, road closure or weather warning that could have prevented him, “No weapon” he exclaimed as he continued on his journey.
He may have served faithfully his entire life but this time, there was a divine appointment set for his breakthrough. If he had not made it in, would he have received the prophecy concerning John? Would he have ever been a father? Would the record of his lineage appear in scripture?
God has made provision for all your need in his house. Put your hand in the plough and keep it there. Sooner or later, God will show up! He will pay for whatever he orders – He is a rewarder!
Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. (NLT)
Yes, I’m on my way! I’ll be there soon! I’m bringing my payroll with me. I’ll pay all people in full for their life’s work. (MSG)
Instrument of Praise is a Music Ministry which operates on a national and international scale ministering physical, emotional and spiritual healing to the afflicted....
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