Gabriel’s Message

Welcome to day 52.  Today’s reading is Luke 1:1 – 1:80

Read the Bible passage here or listen to the audio file below.

Listen to the audio of Paul Subritzky’s reflection on Rhema’s site.

From the National Director of Promise Keepers, Paul Subritzky…

How would you feel if an angel suddenly appeared before you and spoke to you? Not just any angel but Gabriel, the angel who stands in the presence of God and he has been sent by God to speak to you.

Would you experience fear?  Or apprehension?

That’s exactly what happened to Zacharias.  Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth had been selected by God for a purpose.

Both faithful

Both served God

Both righteous

And walked in ways of Gods commandment

Both blameless

But they had a major problem.

Elizabeth was barren which was a cause for mocking in those days, derision and regarded as a curse during her lifetime.  They were both old.

And then the angel says when Zacharias is in the temple praying “your prayer is heard”.

You are going to have a son

Call him John (his name and identity was given to him by God)

You will have joy and gladness and many will rejoice at his birth.

He will be great in the sight of the Lord and shall neither drink wine nor strong drink.  He shall be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb.  He will turn the children of Israel to the Lord their God and make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

Zacharias responds was “how shall I know this, for I am an old man and my wife is well advanced in years”, wouldn’t that be our response?

God has his plans and purposes for our lives.

He is watching our walk

He wants to bless us but his timing is not always our timing.

Let’s look at Mary the same angel Gabriel appears to Mary.  Mary is not old and in fact she is not even married.  The angel immediately reassures her and says “Don’t be afraid Mary, for you have found favour with God”.

You will bring forth a son

You will call his name Jesus

He will be great

And will be called the Son of the Highest.

He will reign over the house of Jacob.

Mary says “how can this be since I am still a virgin?”

The angel then explains that it is a sovereign act of God and then finishes with the statement “for with God nothing will be impossible”.

God knows each one of us He calls each one of us for a purpose what will be our response?

Is it fear?

Is it how do I do this? How can this happen? – Doubt.

Or

Shall we be like Mary who responded with these words “let it be to me according to your word”.

I pray that this will be our response.

Paul

Filed under: Week 11 - Paul Subritzky