TUESDAY 6 December, 2016
The Silence is Broken
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. - Luke 1:13-14
In the days of Herod––the most vile and wicked king, Zacharias the priest served God in the temple. His wife Elizabeth was barren and there was little hope of a child being born to the aged couple. They were both described as being righteous and blameless before God; walking in all the commandments (Luke 1:5-7).
Four hundred years of silence spanned between the pages of Malachi and Matthew. Although the Lord had not spoken through any prophet for some time; the stage was being set for the entrance of a King, but not just any king. Before His royal birth, a fore runner would prepare His way. Earlier, the Prophet Isaiah prophesized about John:
The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the deserta highway for our God.Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked places shall be made straight and the rough places smooth; the glory of the Lordshall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together… - (Isaiah 40:3-5).
In God’s perfect timing, the angel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias in the temple. Zacharias became afraid but the angel told him he had come in answer to his prayer. Elizabeth would have a son, and he was instructed to call the name of the child, John (Luke 1:8-14). Never doubt God’s times of silence, He is at work behind the scenes of your life fulfilling His plans.
But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
~1 Corinthians 2:9~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!