Luke 1-38
Has God ever given you or sent someone to prophesize over your life that seems too hard to believe? Like once the word has been spoken, you think, "yeah, ok". Zachariah was a priest who was visited by the angel Gabriel, who God sent to give him the good news of his wife Elizabeth becoming pregnant. Gabriel prophesized the baby would "be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born" (v15). When Zachariah heard this, he questioned the prophetic word given to him. "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years" (v18). He allowed his circumstance, inability, and doubt respond rather than his faith. How many times have we allowed our insecurities, self-doubt, and qualifications question the promise, calling and purpose of God for our life? Then in the same chapter, we read about a woman who is visited by the same angel who also had a prophetic word for her life. "You will conceive and give birth to a son..." "He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High" (v31-32). Mary then replies "how will this be since I am a virgin?" (v34). After the angel explained it was by the Holy Spirit she did not ask any follow-up questions. She accepted and believed the word over her life. How are you responding to the promise, call, and word God has given you? Are you allowing fear, excuses, or "not being qualified" to respond or are you allowing faith that it is the Holy Spirit that is in you do the work? For the longest time I allowed my excuses of being soft spoken, timid, and reserved to question and prolong God's plan for my life. Even after time and time again He told me and showed me it was not going to be by my strength, knowledge or talent but by HIS HOLY SPIRIT. It was not until I made the decision to accept and believe that it was God who chose me and it is only through God it will be possible.
Prayer:
Thank you, God, for always speaking to us and through us. Thank you for your word and your promises. Help me believe what you have spoken. Today, I am making the decision to lay down my excuses, insecurities, fear and doubt at your feet. Holy Spirit, I give you permission to do what only you can do in me and through me, for your honor and glory. Amen.
Worship: