Luke 1:67-80

Luke 1:67-80

What would be the first thing I would say if I've been silent for 9 months?? Would it be complaining about my suffering or setting the record straight about things that transpired over the last several weeks? Would it be to tell my side of the story? For Zachariah it was to praise God.

Zacharias’ quiet time prepared him for the moments to come. He uses words for the first time in nearly a year and what comes out are words of praise inspired by the Holy Spirit. Zacharias offers a beautiful song, but this is no impromptu, on-the-spot composition. This song is a myriad of Old Testament passages brought together by a common theme. It is easy to identify these as allusions to the Old Testament. While inspired by the Holy Spirit, Zachariah drew from his own life and mind all of these Old Testament references, which came out because Zachariah had first put them in. A purely academic study of Scripture is a sad thing. Without the heart and soul, passion and love the Word of God becomes one more piece of literature to be worried over. When we often lack the appropriate rigor and knowing the Word of God, we are often content with a superficial, vague knowledge of Scripture.

The lives of the great saints of God developed as they knew the Lord and they knew him by His Word. I once heard an illusionist to say after a great performance, "Any five-year-old can do what I do with 25 years of experience." Depth of spiritual maturity and great faith is something that is a result of seeking God and finding him in His Word year after year.

"Lord, give me a passion for Your Word and thereby change me. AMEN"