Psalm of the Day: Psalm 6
Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 3:13-35
Scripture Reading: Luke 1:13-17
We have, in these verses, the words of the angel who appeared to Zachariah. They are words full of deep spiritual instruction.
We learn here that prayers are not necessarily rejected because the answer is long delayed. Zachariah, no doubt, had often prayed for the blessing of children — and, to all appearance, had prayed in vain. At his advanced time of life, he had probably long ceased to mention the subject before God, and had given up all hope of being a father. Yet the very first words of the angel show plainly that the bygone prayers of Zachariah had not been forgotten, "Your prayer is heard — your wife Elizabeth shall bear you a son."
We shall do well to remember this fact, whenever we kneel down to pray. We must beware of hastily concluding that our supplications are useless — and especially in the matter of intercessory prayer in behalf of others. It is not for us to prescribe either the time or the manner in which our requests are to be answered. He who knows best the time for people to be born — knows also the time for them to be born again. Let us rather "continue in prayer," "watch unto prayer," "pray always, and not faint."
"Delay of answer," says an old divine, "must not discourage our faith. It may be that God has long granted — before we shall know of His grant."
Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, help me to be faithful in prayer. I know you have a sovereign answer that is best for me.
This devotional was taken from The Gospel of Luke by J.C. Ryle published in 1858
and adapted by Pastor Tim Lewis of New England Shores Baptist Church.
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