Reflecting God – Thursday, 28 November 2013 – “Did You Hear Me?” - Scripture Reading: Luke 1

Reflecting God – Thursday, 28 November 2013 – “Did You Hear Me?” - Scripture Reading: Luke 1: Dedication to Theophilus

1 Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, 3 I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first,[a] to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the truth concerning the things about which you have been instructed.

The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

5 In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. 7 But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.

8 Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. 10 Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. 11 Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. 14 You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. 16 He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

Footnotes:

Luke 1:3 Or for a long time(NRSV)

“Did You Hear Me?” by Duane C. Brush

I have arrived at the stage in life where far too many people mumble. The number of people who fail to speak up and properly enunciate is extremely alarming. I am not sure what has caused this problem. Maybe they have listened to too much loud music or follow the speaking style of their favorite TV or singing personalities. They all mumble, too. My wife has been so bold as to suggest that the problem may not be other people. She seems to think that I should get my hearing checked; at least that is what I think she said!

Thankfully, God has no hearing problem. The angel told Zechariah, “Your prayer has been heard.” Zechariah must have known immediately which prayer. “Your wife Elizabeth will bear a son.” That must have been The Prayer, the prayer they had prayed for so long and eventually abandoned as hopeless. Nevertheless, God had heard. The answer was delayed because God had a special plan for this child.

God hears each prayer. When the answer is delayed we should not assume His answer is “no,” it may be “not yet.” Are you listening?

Hymn for Today:

“Sunshine in My Soul” by Eliza E. Hewitt

1. There is sunshine in my soul today,

More glorious and bright

Than glows in any earthly sky,

For Jesus is my light.

Refrain:

Oh, there’s sunshine, blessed sunshine,

When the peaceful, happy moments roll;

When Jesus shows His smiling face,

There is sunshine in the soul.

2. There is music in my soul today,

A carol to my King;

And Jesus, listening, can hear

The songs I cannot sing.

Refrain:

Oh, there’s sunshine, blessed sunshine,

When the peaceful, happy moments roll;

When Jesus shows His smiling face,

There is sunshine in the soul.

3. There is springtime in my soul today,

For, when the Lord is near,

The dove of peace sings in my heart,

The flow’rs of grace appear.

Refrain:

Oh, there’s sunshine, blessed sunshine,

When the peaceful, happy moments roll;

When Jesus shows His smiling face,

There is sunshine in the soul.

4. There is gladness in my soul today,

And hope and praise and love,

For blessings which He gives me now,

For joys laid up above.

Refrain:

Oh, there’s sunshine, blessed sunshine,

When the peaceful, happy moments roll;

When Jesus shows His smiling face,

There is sunshine in the soul.

Thought for Today:

“Even when we give up on our prayers, God does not”(Debbie Salter Goodwin)

Prayer Needs:

Family and students as they prepare for full-time Christian ministry in the United States and Canada.

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Global Church of the Nazarene

Global Ministry Center

17001 Prairie Star Parkway

Lenexa, KS 66220 United States

Phone: (913)577-0500

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