Being at the Right Place at the Right Time

N.T.#468 "Being at the Right Place at the Right Time"

Jan. 20, 2025 

Luke 1-Part2

LET IT GLOW 

Keep in mind that it had been a 400-year silence between Israel and heaven. God's promises remained in tact. He was still going to send a Messiah. Yet, during those lean years, the Jewish priesthood became a  corrupt crime syndicate and the temple was a funnel for their money. 

Herod the Great was great alright, great in evil. He was ruling the land of Judea and over the Jews. You will recall that he was so hateful that he even killed potential family members would could take over his throne. 

Yet God... God is full of surprises. His surprise for an older couple who served Him faithfully in the priesthood, sought to live blameless lives, and had hope dwindling, hope for a child. Decades passed and they remained childless. Luke zooms in on this couple, in the dark days of their lives.

How is Zacharias described by Luke:

• A certain priest, which means he was one of 24 divisions of priests who rotated their duties in the Temple, performing 1 week every 6 months. (1:5)
• His wife, Elisabeth, who was of the lineage of Aaron and the tribe of Levi. (1:5)
• The couple were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all His commandments and ordinances (verse 6)
• They had no child, which the Jews considered their lives were displeasing God; this brought shame upon Zachariah and Elisabeth. (verse 7)
• Both were well stricken in years. which means advance or in years; be of a great age.
• 
  

LET IT GROW

To determine which priest would fulfill each duty in the Temple, they drew lots. On this day, Zacharias had the great honor of offering incense in the holy place. (Exodus 30) Twice a day a priest would trim the wicks of the lampstand and burn incense on a small altar in front of a woven veil which separated the room from the Holy of Holies. It was likely that Zacharias did this the one and only time. It was no ordinary day. Obviously, he had no idea what was ahead of him that day whenever Zach entered the Temple.

Two other priests stirred the coals on the altar of burnt offering while the incense was refilled. Immediately the priests would prostrate himself, then leave the room backwards. Meanwhile, the crowds gathered outside the courtyards in the morning and evening for prayers. 

God is sovereign in human affairs. He works through seemingly random processes to accomplish His will. Since God is sovereign, there is no such thing as luck. (Tony Evans)

This was all in God's timing. Zachariah was at the right place at the right time, doing the right thing. It was the providence of God. 

Do we seek God's will daily so we can be at the right place and at the right time for Him to use us for kingdom work? 

LET IT GO

All my life You have been faithful. All my life You have been so, so good. With every breath that I am able, I will sing of the goodness of my God.

I love You Lord Jesus! Use us for Your glory and honoe today, Jesus.