If an angel showed up tonight to give us a message, would we believe what he had to tell us? I hope I would not be deep in cynicism and negativity. I hope I would be anticipating what God wants me to know. I hope my eyes and ears are open to what the kingdom is all about in my here and now moments. In reality, I do not need an angelic visit, because God’s word and His presence are with me.
“Zechariah, Luke 1 67, was filled with the Holy Spirit.
By the way, you can have that same experience. The idea is kind of topped off, not that Zechariah had never known the Holy Spirit before, but right now is just inspired, deeply moved by the Spirit and prophesied. Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel.
Because he has come to his people and redeemed them, he has raised up a horn of salvation for us. That's an image of strength made us strong in the house of his servant David, as he said through his holy prophets of long ago, a salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham, to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, to enable us to serve him without fear. Now this is something that's available to me and to you today.
In holiness and righteousness, before him the Lord is with you all our days. And then Zechariah turns to his new little son. How often did he sing this song to his boy?”
From John Ortberg | Podcast - Become New: 9. How Grounded Optimism Dramatically Improves Your Outlook on Life | John Ortberg, Dec 12, 2024
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