Today's Scripture:

Luke 1:13-14; 18: But the angel said to Him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth... Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.

Additional Scripture: Luke 1; Matthew 1

I, too, have been guilty of asking the Lord, "But how?" And then I proceed to think of a hundred ways in which something seems highly unlikely. We know God can do anything, but we must also trust in His timing and choosing for us. May God help us receive what He has spoken over us. If He can do it for others, He can do it for us. We really cannot say when or how, but the gift of receiving the Lord's JOY is trusting Him with our story. Speak it forth: "Lord, I trust you with my story."

Zechariah, Mary, and Joseph had this in common: they were righteous and favored by God. Righteous and favored did not mean that everything happened to them as they expected or at the time they expected. We know Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth received a child in their old age, and the Word says the Lord heard their prayer; yet we don't know how long they prayed. They may have become discouraged, thinking that the Lord had forgotten them. But He did not. It just wasn't time yet. Their son John the Baptist would come at an appointed time to prepare the Lord's people to receive Jesus Christ. A greater plan was going on! And when we have been faithful and praying, we must remember, God is not dead. His word will never fail!

Mary was a young bride-to-be; she may have had plans of her own and ideas of what her future would look like. Joseph, after hearing the news, did not want to marry a bride who was with child. Their gift did not look or sound like a gift! Plans were disrupted, and dreams went out the window. Yet, in the midst of all that, JOY was wrapped up in this imperfect story. Salvation came because they believed the word of the Lord and took on the challenge! That challenge became their Blessing!

I get it. This season, during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been a tough one! How do we receive the Lord's Joy? How can we think that the Lord has us in mind? Let the story of Jesus' humble birth and gruesome death be a reminder that hard times did not make him any less a savior; they only proved Him worthy to be king and presented an opportunity to shine His light. Many miracles happened, many people were healed, and many were saved. Does God have us in mind? YES! If we believe in Him, we are His Children. He sees us and He hears our prayers! Whether we've already seen our miracle or are still waiting for it, never cease to pray; never cease to give Him praise. He will come through!

Receive His Joy.

Pastor Kudzai