Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
Luke 1:68
How we spend our time has a direct impact on our relationship with God. Today, as we begin our focus on the advent of Christ, let’s pause and consider how we spend our time. Specifically, how much time does God factor into our day? Does He encompass all areas of our lives or only those times set apart for reading His Word or praying? Or, perhaps He’s relegated to Sunday mornings only?
Check out this suggestion from today’s LGG Journal entry on the how and why of alone time with God: “If we want to meet with God and be filled with the Holy Spirit, it is vital that we spend time in prayer and meditate on God’s Words. We are surrounded by so much noise that it often takes great discipline and a firm resolve to switch off the TV, put away our phones, go into our room, close the door and – in the stillness – spend time alone with God.”
When Zechariah learned that Elizabeth was pregnant, the reality of Gabriel’s words would have erased even a smidgen of doubt that may have remained in Zechariah’s mind. From his response of obedience and rejoicing following the birth, it seems evident that he had not turned away from God but had drawn all the closer to Him. Zechariah clearly believed all that the angel had said, and he set an example of a life that includes God in all areas. We see this when the baby was born; Zechariah not only celebrated the birth of his son but also, after nine months of silence, his first words were used to bless God and then to speak of the evidence of the coming of the long-awaited Messiah.
Friends, may we practice factoring the Messiah into the whole of our lives. Whether we are on the mountaintop or in the valleys of suffering or troubles, in our times of silence, concerns, or doubts, may we not turn away from Him but draw all the closer to Him – so that at the end of every day, whether we find ourselves celebrating or lamenting, we are found praising God and looking forward with hope.
Me From the Inside Out 