~Daily Devotion 2nd~

What A Job John Was Called To Do.

(Luke 1:13) says, "The angel said unto him, Fear not, Zechariah for thy prayer is heard....."

For a long time Elizabeth and Zechariah had prayed for a child to bring them joy. Finally their prayers were answered, in miraculous ways. But as years passed, they never experienced a son's wedding, a grandchild's birth, or old age softened by a son's love. Instead, they watched their son endure public shame and execution.

I wonder if they ever felt baffled, even embittered, by the way their prayers were answered?

Maybe that's why God's messenger to Zechariah said what he did: "Don't be afraid. This is the answer to your prayers." In years to come, when Zechariah and Elizabeth feared for their son, they were need to remember in their hearts this word from God. John the Baptist would indeed bring joy to his parents, to us all, by announcing the Messiah. Their prayers would be answered, but God's answer would be different from what they expected, and ultimately better.

This year we have walked together with Jesus, praying that He teach us what discipleship is about. We have discovered it means turning over to Him our whole life, our fears, our weaknesses, our abilities, our will, our relationships. As we do that, however, what He does with them sometimes will be different from what we expect, we may feel baffled, doubtful, afraid. In those times we too need to remember the word of a loving God to Zechariah: "Don't be afraid. This is My answer to your prayers.

Just think of the responsibility that John was given to not only tell of the Messiahs arrival, but to also be the one to Baptize His Savior.

If God has chosen you for a big job, do not worry, He will give you the ability to accomplish it.

If you are having to make decision in your life, remember God is always on time, in His time.