He Shall Reign预览

At the beginning of Luke 1:18, Zechariah’s response was doubt and fear, and as a consequence, the angel Gabriel made him mute until the baby’s arrival. When Elizabeth finally became pregnant a few verses later, this was her response:

“‘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 1:25)

Some translations say “How kind the Lord is!” Culturally, at this time, being barren was seen as a disgrace. You can imagine that Elizabeth felt shame up to this point for not being able to conceive. So when she and Zechariah were used in such a mighty way - in God’s divine plan to redeem His people to Himself, through Jesus - she recognized what the Lord had done for her and her family. It truly was God’s kindness! This response brings Psalm 126:3 to mind: “The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”

It can often be easy to give ourselves credit when circumstances are good, but to blame God when things are bad. In this story, we actually see people who are righteous in God’s eyes, yet there is something they lack because it was not yet God’s timing for them. The truth of the gospel is that God is always at work, even when we don’t see it or feel it. He won’t be hurried to accomplish His purposes in our lives, and that’s great news.

In 1 Peter 4:12-13, The Message paraphrases it like this: “Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.” 

What a wonderful notion, “with glory just around the corner.” In this Advent season, may you always live with the hope of glory just around the corner. Whether it be an answer to prayer, a seemingly bad circumstance redeemed, or a lost friend returning to the Lord. As believers, we should constantly strive to live with this hope in our hearts, that glory is always just around the corner as we wait for Christ’s return.

APPLICATION:

What spiritual refining needs to happen for you in this season? Maybe it’s a step of repentance in your prayer time, a moment of surrender in worship, or you need to ask a friend or pastor to pray for you. Whatever it may be, do what you must for the Lord to have full access to you and your heart in this season. Rest in the truth that God is always at work for your good, and His glory!