HOPE RETURNS

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.  And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.  But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.  So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.  And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense.  Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.  And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.  But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.  And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.  For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.  And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.  He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”  (Luke 1:5-17)

They say the darkest hour is just before the dawn.  That was the condition of the nation of Israel 2,000 years ago.  For 400 years they had been in the dark—without a word from God.  The last prophet, Malachi, had been silent for four long centuries.  This despite the promise, “The Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings” (4:2a). 

That new day was about to dawn.  Reading Luke 1:5-25, we will see the light of truth peek over the horizon.  As the sun returns to the sky after the darkness of night, so hope would return with a fresh word from God.  A new prophet was on the way—John the Baptist—to herald the coming of the Light of the World—Jesus Christ!

Let your day begin by coming to His light.  Listen to His voice as you read His Book.  Thank Him that you are no longer in the dark, and heaven is no more silent!