12/04/2023
BEHOLD A SAVIOR IS BORN Devotion by Pastor Sarah - Today I am commenting on our reading of Luke 1:14-16: "He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God."
Vs 14 – hope of having a child as promised to all the Israelites who kept God’s commandments (Deuteronomy 7:12-14) had been deferred and thus, their hearts were saddened (Proverbs 13:12). However, there was tremendous joy experienced by Zacharias and Elizabeth at this miraculous birth at their old age knowing God had a purpose for the wait. He now could use their son to prepare the way of the Lord’s coming as that time was only now approaching, and this made their wait worth it. Again, this knowledge made up for the years of waiting for God’s promise to the Israelites that if they would harken unto Gods commandments, there would not be male or female barren among them (Deut 7:12-14). What promise has God made you that you are still waiting to see manifest? You can know there is eternal purpose in the timing of God and when it is manifested, whatever the length of the wait, it will be worth it. We have a sure HOPE and one that brings eternal blessings in Christ and in all the promises of God.
VS 15 – The presence of the Holy Spirit is God’s gift to the entire church at Pentecost. Before that outpouring, God’s spirit was given to the faithful to fulfill special tasks He had for them. All who trust in Christ today are baptized by the Holy Spirit into Christ and they are sealed by the Holy Spirit. However, Jesus wants to baptize you with the Holy Spirit. If you have not yet received the baptism of the Holy Spirit when you trusted in Christ, ask God for it knowing it is available, expect to receive it. You do so by faith. It is in His power and wisdom we are able to fulfill the tasks He sets before us. May you be completely immersed with His presence as you seek this experience by faith.
VS 16 – Those who turn people to Christ are considered by God to be the “mighty” rather than the rich and famous and powerful of the world. Who might you reach out to or drop a gospel track to in order to inform them of the good news of Christ’s first coming this week and what it can mean for them? Have a blessed day filled with hope, joy, love, grace and peace. ~ Pastor Sarah
