Luke 1.67-80
An angel tells Zechariah that his white haired wife is going to have a baby. His response was "Yea, right." God responds to his lack of faith by hitting the mute button on his voice. For several months Zechariah could not speak.
Imagine the scenario: His wife gets pregnant and he cannot speak. His wife delivers a baby boy and he still cannot speak. The young infant is circumcized and still no speaking occurs. It's not until he has written the baby's name on a writing tablet that his lips are unzipped.
What would Zechariah say after months of silence?
His first words were a song of praise. Praise be to the God of Israel. And this praise is the result of at least five things he realized were going to happen.
1. God will be paying a visit
2. God will redeem his people
3. God will save his people
4. God will keep his promises
5. God will change darkness into light.
Notice that these five things are going to happen in the future.
We can praise God for what he done in the past, what he's doing in the present, but also for what he will do in the future.
What might God do in your life in the coming years? Praise Him for it!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Mary's Praise
Luke 1.39-56
Mary had an experience that was unusual. An angel showed up and told her that she would have a baby, the baby would be great, and would be a king whose kingdom would never end. She clearly understood this to be the announcement of the long awaited messiah, and she was blown away by the honor and majesty of it all. Her heart was full of worship.
Her praise to God in response to this is called the Magnificat. In it we can find four hints for making worship what it should be for us:
1. It is important to see God's big size in comparison to our small size. (Our humble state)
2. It is important that we enlarge God (glorify-megalune) and keep Him proper sized in our minds.
3. It is important that we regularly recount who God is. (Lord, Savior, Mighty One, Holy One)
4. It is important to regularly recount what God has done for us.
Additional scriptures: 1 Samuel 2.1-10, Matthew 26.64, Psalm 77.12-13.
Mary had an experience that was unusual. An angel showed up and told her that she would have a baby, the baby would be great, and would be a king whose kingdom would never end. She clearly understood this to be the announcement of the long awaited messiah, and she was blown away by the honor and majesty of it all. Her heart was full of worship.
Her praise to God in response to this is called the Magnificat. In it we can find four hints for making worship what it should be for us:
1. It is important to see God's big size in comparison to our small size. (Our humble state)
2. It is important that we enlarge God (glorify-megalune) and keep Him proper sized in our minds.
3. It is important that we regularly recount who God is. (Lord, Savior, Mighty One, Holy One)
4. It is important to regularly recount what God has done for us.
Additional scriptures: 1 Samuel 2.1-10, Matthew 26.64, Psalm 77.12-13.
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