GOD REMEMBERS

Christmas was prophesied as early as Genesis (Genesis 3:15, 22:18), 2 Samuel 7:13, and Isaiah 7:14, 9:6. Even after the Jewish people were conquered and exiled, God remembered His promise of the Messiah. God is our sure hope because He remembers His promises. In God, we find assurance and steadfast foundation for hope—rooted in the confidence of eternal life, the joyful expectation of Jesus' return, and the promise of a reward for faithful living (Titus 1:2, 2:13; 2 Timothy 4:8).  

We may not be happy with our circumstances, but we can look forward to the future with hope (Jeremiah 29:11). We don’t have to be in despair but put our hope in God (Psalm 42:5-11, Lamentations 3:21-24). We can claim God’s promise in Romans 8:28 that God works everything together for our good, no matter what’s happening in our lives. His purpose is that we will be like His Son in our character. This promise is conditional --- for those who love God!

GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISES

What significance do Zacharias and Elizabeth hold in connection to God’s promise of a Messiah? In Malachi 3:1, there was a prophecy about God’s “messenger”. People will know who the Messiah is because of this “messenger.”  

While Zacharias was fulfilling his priestly duties, an angel appeared to him. The angel Gabriel then assured Zechariah that his prayers had been heard, proclaiming that Elizabeth would bear a son named “John”. Zacharias, having fervently prayed for a child for an extended period, may have reached a point of despair, potentially even relinquishing hope that his prayers would be answered. Here, we witness the faithfulness of God, who, as Hebrews 6:17-18 assures us, does not lie, and steadfastly keeps His oath. The fulfillment of the promise to Zacharias and Elizabeth serves as a testament to the unwavering reliability of God's character and word.

GOD IS GRACIOUS

God's grace is prominently evident in the narrative of Zacharias and Elizabeth. John was prophesied to bring joy to many, and even before his birth, he was destined to be filled with the Holy Spirit. The manifestation of God's grace occurs through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. God had already revealed John's role in His divine plan. When Zacharias questioned the feasibility of God's promise due to its human impossibility, the response highlighted a crucial truth: with God, all things are possible, and His promises are unfailingly fulfilled. Despite Zacharias' doubts, God, in His graciousness, kept His promise. Even God's corrective intervention served as a manifestation of grace. 

John's life was profoundly influenced by the grace of God, and his parents played a pivotal role. Zacharias imparted God's vision for John's life. John directed people to Jesus, emphasizing that God's grace fosters humility, and humility, in turn, invites more grace (John 1:19-23, 36-37). The familial connection between John and Jesus was no accident; God orchestrated their intertwined lives to fulfill prophecy. 

Let Romans 15:13 be our prayer today, that we will abound in hope that is anchored in Christ, that we may be filled with joy, peace, and rest as we put our trust in Him (Psalm 62:5). God is our sure hope!