God's Love Post

In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest

named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division

of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of

Aaron. Both were upright in the sight of God’ observing

all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly.

But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and

they were both well along in years.

Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving

as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom

of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.

And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled

worshipers were praying outside.

Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side

of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and

was gripped with fear. 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 give him the name John. He will be a joy and

delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be

great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented

drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. Many

of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. And he

will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the

hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom

of the righteous- to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man

and my wife is well along in years.”

The angel answered, I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and

have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now

you will be silent and not be able to speak until the day this happens,

because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their

proper time.

Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why

he stayed so long in the temple. When he came out, he could not speak

to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept

making signs to them but remained unable to speak.

When his time of service was completed, he returned home. After this

his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained

in seclusion. “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days

He has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.

(Luke 1.5-25).

HALLELUJAH! THANK YOU LORD JESUS FOREVERMORE!