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Advent- Words Part 2
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Advent- Hope and Words Luke 1:1-25, 57-66
From Genesis and throughout scripture there is a theme of words creating new worlds and new realities. Words can bless and build up and encourage. Words can tear down, separate, discourage. We want to use our words well but it can be hard to develop that habit because that’s not how words were used toward us. In Luke chapter 1 The archangel Gabriel comes to Zechariah to prophesy the birth of John the Baptist. This is a man who has lived through many years of disappointment and lost hope around having a child. He is so disillusioned that even the sight of an angel speaking to him doesn’t cut through his past hurt. The angel speaks of what will happen. Zechariah questions it. The angel tells him, “because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will be silent, unable to speak, until the day these things take place.” In the place of silence God works on Zechariah as all other voices are strained out... And in the end Zechariah experiences a redemption when he proclaims the same of his son to be John, accepting and embracing the word of hope of Elizabeth and him.
What do you think was going through Zechariah’s mind during his time of silence?
It was the years of disappointment that led to this miracle being possible and this amazing story to be told. Elizabeth and Zechariah lived a lifetime of wondering why something didn’t happen only to have it fulfilled at such a late time in their lives. Maybe they though of Proverbs 13:12 “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” Is there anything you can relate to in that?
Like Zechariah, we can loose hope due to repeated disappointment. What would you like to see God breath hope back into your life about?
Where are you looking for redemption these days? Have you ever experienced a redemption after a long season of disappointment?
What is something you are praying for the redemption of right now? What do you want to see in the coming season?
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