Advent Devotion from Society of St. Andrew "Advent Devotions 2016" of Big Island, Virginia, United States for Thursday, December 15, 2016 "From Fear to Favor"

Advent Devotion from Society of St. Andrew "Advent Devotions 2016" of Big Island, Virginia, United States for Thursday, December 15, 2016 "From Fear to Favor"
Scripture: Luke 1:5-23
Luke 1:5 In the days of Herod, King of Y’hudah, there was a cohen named Z’kharyah who belonged to the Aviyah division. His wife was a descendant of Aharon, and her name was Elisheva. 6 Both of them were righteous before God, observing all the mitzvot and ordinances of Adonai blamelessly. 7 But they had no children, because Elisheva was barren; and they were both well along in years.
8 One time, when Z’kharyah was fulfilling his duties as cohen during his division’s period of service before God, 9 he was chosen by lot (according to the custom among the cohanim) to enter the Temple and burn incense. 10 All the people were outside, praying, at the time of the incense burning, 11 when there appeared to him an angel of Adonai standing to the right of the incense altar. 12 Z’kharyah was startled and terrified at the sight. 13 But the angel said to him, “Don’t be afraid, Z’kharyah; because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elisheva will bear you a son, and you are to name him Yochanan. 14 He will be a joy and a delight to you, and many people will rejoice when he is born, 15 for he will be great in the sight of Adonai. He is never to drink wine or other liquor, and he will be filled with the Ruach HaKodesh even from his mother’s womb. 16 He will turn many of the people of Isra’el to Adonai their God. 17 He will go out ahead of Adonai in the spirit and power of Eliyahu to turn the hearts of fathers to their children[Luke 1:17 Malachi 3:23–24(4:5–6)] and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready for Adonai a people prepared.”
18 Z’kharyah said to the angel, “How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man; my wife too is well on in years.” 19 “I am Gavri’el,” the angel answered him, “and I stand in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you, to give you this good news. 20 Now, because you didn’t believe what I said, which will be fulfilled when the time comes, you will be silent, unable to speak until the day these things take place.”
21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Z’kharyah; they were surprised at his taking so long in the Temple. 22 But when he came out unable to talk to them, they realized that he had seen a vision in the Temple; speechless, he communicated to them with signs.
23 When his period of his Temple service was over, he returned home.
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A 21-year old student was returning to the university after visiting his parents. Crossing the meadow, sudden lightning struck him to the ground. Fear seized him. Martin Luther thought the final act of his life was unfolding. God, the all-terrible, had come to bolt him into hell. I had my own experience in college—being a questioning soul, the prospect of dealing with God scared me. Does the prospect of meeting God scare you too?
The priest Zechariah was thunderstruck. He entered the Jerusalem temple, having no idea that, in his once-in a lifetime opportunity to offer incense, heaven would burst upon him! He clasped the frankincense and sprinkled it on the glowing altar coals. Without warning, and from nowhere, an angel materialized at his side. The angel might as well been a nine-foot grizzly! Zechariah was petrified! What was God going to do to him!
Months later in the nearby Bethlehem pastures, shepherds were watching over their flocks. As far as they knew, this was just another night’s work. Suddenly, out of the dark, an angel appeared—from nowhere. A flood of light engulfed the shepherds. Like Zechariah, they “feared a great fear.” What was God going to do to them!
God “isn’t safe. But He is good,” wrote C. S. Lewis. Awesome fear gives way to favor. “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people,” said the angel. Fear not. God has Good News for you! A Savior, Jesus Christ, comes!
Prayer: Dear Father, here am I. I am afraid. Have mercy on me. I offer myself to you. I am ready to receive the good news of the Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.[H.O. “Tom” Thomas, Forest, Virginia]

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The Society of St. Andrew is a national nonprofit hunger-relief ministry that rescues 25-30 million pounds of fresh, nutritious, excess produce each year that would otherwise go to waste for various marketing reasons. This food is then distributed to critical feeding agencies across the country at no cost to the agencies or the hungry people they serve. More information about the Society of St. Andrew and its hunger-relief programs - Gleaning Network, Potato & Produce Project, and Harvest of Hope is available online at EndHunger.org.
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Big Island, Virginia 24526, United States

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