Daily Devotions
Luke
Luke 1:21-25 "THEY PERCEIVED THAT HE HAD SEEN A VISION..." Luke 1:22"
Day 15 – Luke 1
Text: Luke 1:21-25
“THEY PERCEIVED THAT HE HAD SEEN A VISION…” Luke 1:22
The faithful had gathered at the Temple. They were quite familiar with the ministry of priests offering incense and prayers on behalf of the nation. What they did not expect or understand why Zacharias took so long offering incense!
When Zacharias finally came out, he could not speak at all. What could have happened when he was offering incense and prayers? There could be only one conclusion, Zacharias must have had a special vision from the Lord, and he had been rendered speechless for the time being.
“HIS WIFE ELIZABETH CONCEIVED” Luke 1:24
The words of the angel Gabriel began to be fulfilled. The glorious words of promise were true indeed! Zacharias must have wished with all his heart that he had believed the angel. He would then have been able to express all that was in his heart.
He could have told the people at the Temple the wonderful conversation that he had with the angel. He could have shared with Elizabeth all that had transpired in the Temple as he was offering incense. However, all these things were denied him because of his unbelief! He had to wait till all that the angel Gabriel had pronounced be fulfilled. It was going to be a very long wait! However, he would also have learned spiritual lessons of faith that could not have otherwise be learned!
“THUS HAS THE LORD DEALT WITH ME…” Luke 1:25
How did Elizabeth fit into this episode? What were her reactions when Zacharias emerged speechless?
We catch a glimpse of the spirituality of Elizabeth when she conceived. Immediately, she recognized the hand of the Lord. It had to be the hand of the Lord! Zacharias may not have been able to fully express himself in words, but the mighty hand of the Lord is always clear and distinct to those with spiritual eyes.
Elizabeth knew that this child of hers was given to her by the Lord. She knew that Zacharias must have indeed seen a vision of the Lord.
“HE LOOKED UPON ME TO TAKE AWAY MY REPROACH AMONG PEOPLE” Luke 1:25
We will never be able to fully fathom the deep suffering that Elizabeth must have endured as she passed year after year in marriage, childless. In a society that prized children as a heritage from the Lord, those who were barren were often regarded with reproach if not contempt. She had to bear that reproach all these long years!
There was no indication of anger against the Lord in the words of Elizabeth. She and her husband Zacharias had walked worthy of their faith in God. “They were both righteous before God, walking in the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless” (Luke 1:6). The Lord’s hand was specially acknowledged at this point of time. Her heart was just full of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord for His blessing, and for the gift of a son.
Elizabeth was able to trace the Lord’s hand in her life. Thus she spoke of how “the Lord had looked upon her”. He had regarded her estate. He had felt her grief and sorrow. He had understood and loved her for her unfailing faith in Him. She would now be specially rewarded with the gift of a son.
DEVELOPING A CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE LORD’S HAND IN OUR LIFE
It is wonderful to be able to have a great sense of consciousness of the Lord’s hand in our life. It is not always easy to trace God’s hand in our life, but the fact is that God is involved in our life.
Moses was one person who was most conscious of the fact that God was involved in the life of the nation of Israel. He sought to teach Israel that God was deeply interested in them.
In the Book of Deuteronomy, especially the first three chapters, Moses sought to remind Israel of the Lord’s hand in the life of the nation. He said,
“The Lord your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all He did in Egypt before your eyes, And in the wilderness where you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place”
Deut. 1:30-3
Take time to track the hand of God in your life. There may be ups and downs, but the hand of the Lord is unmistakable. If you trace carefully, you will find that the Lord went ahead of you. You will also find that the Lord carried you when you were too weak to carry on. You will find that the Lord will always care for you, as a Father would love his children.
May your heart rejoice as you remember the goodness of the Lord poured into your life! May your heart be able to say, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name” (Psalm 103:1)