THURSDAY, MAY 5
READ LUKE 1:67-75
LUKE 1:67 His father Z’kharyah was filled with the Ruach HaKodesh and spoke this prophecy:
68 “Praised be Adonai, the God of Isra’el,[Luke 1:68 Psalms 41:14(13); 72:18; 106:48]
because he has visited and made a ransom to liberate his people
69 by raising up for us a mighty Deliverer
who is a descendant of his servant David.
70 It is just as he has spoken
through the mouth of the prophets from the very beginning —
71 that we should be delivered from our enemies
and from the power of all who hate us.
72 “This has happened so that he might show
the mercy promised to our fathers —
that he would remember his holy covenant,
73 the oath he swore before Avraham avinu
74 to grant us that we, freed from our enemies,
would serve him without fear,
75 in holiness and righteousness
before him all our days.
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Zechariah is no longer mute. His season of enforced silence provided a time of spiritual deepening in which he became aware of God’s activity in his midst. “Filled with the Holy Spirit,” he speaks aloud a prophecy about his son, John. The prophecy begins by proclaiming God as the source of all that has made the present moment of joy possible and who secures the people’s future with “knowledge of salvation.” Zechariah remembers God’s mighty acts: God redeemed the people, raised up a mighty savior, spoke through the holy prophets, saved the people from their enemies and from any harm. Remembering the past is a spiritual act that establishes the meaning of the current relationship with God. Remembering the past brings forth the basis of future hope.
Zechariah, as God’s messenger, is a time traveler. To guide and reassure his generation, he enters the past through remembering and the future through prophetic envisioning. In hearing his message, we travel into sacred history, and we travel forward to a future that is intended for us. In this future we serve God freely, without intimidation and oppression—a future in which we are fully capable of living “in holiness and righteousness.” How can we prepare to discern and embrace this future? Perhaps contemplative listening to God’s messengers in a personal season of silence will deepen your spiritual vision and guide your feet “into the way of peace.”
O God, you know the longing of our hearts to experience the present and future you intend for us. May we discern your messages and rest in your companionship. Amen.[Luther E. Smith Jr.]
The Council of Bishops begins meeting today prior to the 2016 General Conference. Please hold the council members in prayer that their work may be done effectively and compassionately.
Our mailing address is:
The Upper Room Strategic Initiatives
PO Box 340007
Zechariah, as God’s messenger, is a time traveler. To guide and reassure his generation, he enters the past through remembering and the future through prophetic envisioning. In hearing his message, we travel into sacred history, and we travel forward to a future that is intended for us. In this future we serve God freely, without intimidation and oppression—a future in which we are fully capable of living “in holiness and righteousness.” How can we prepare to discern and embrace this future? Perhaps contemplative listening to God’s messengers in a personal season of silence will deepen your spiritual vision and guide your feet “into the way of peace.”
O God, you know the longing of our hearts to experience the present and future you intend for us. May we discern your messages and rest in your companionship. Amen.[Luther E. Smith Jr.]
The Council of Bishops begins meeting today prior to the 2016 General Conference. Please hold the council members in prayer that their work may be done effectively and compassionately.
Our mailing address is:
The Upper Room Strategic Initiatives
PO Box 340007
Nashville, Tennessee 37203, United States
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