Reading your Bible for Today September 21

September 21: Luke 1:5-25

KJV Key Verse: Luke 1:16
16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

Devotion:
It is often said we should be careful for what we wish for... But with Christ, that should be “be careful for what you pray for”; not because God may give it to you, but because we need to know that Christ will listen to our prayers and will answer them!

Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth were a couple who were living for God. They listened to what God wanted them to do and they obeyed. They had obviously had many prayers about asking God for a son and they would have probably given up by now because of their age. But the one thing they had forgotten is that God always answers prayers – but He does so in His own time so He will be glorified, and not us!

Far too often we ask for things because we think we need them whereas God knows exactly what we do need and will provide for us. That does not mean we have to give up asking because if we give up, then we are showing God we don't really think He is listening – We need to show Him we believe! Zacharias certainly believed, and when he was in the temple and saw the angel standing next to him, he probably thought he was in a whole heap of trouble. But that angel had not come to dish out bad news, but good news – that they would have a son. Zacharias' problem was thinking this was an impossible situation for God to handle! But when God answers prayers, we need to know anything is possible through God! Zacharias had a price to pay for his unbelief... he was mute from that point on until the day he named his son John – just as the angel had said would happen!

When God gives a promise, He keeps it. That is why we need to think about what we pray for – we need to take care of our prayers because God has promised to answer them! We need to know He is God and He alone answers our prayers in full! We need to show others we believe and trust in a God that delivers!

Points to Ponder:
Do your friends always come through with every request you make?

Have you given up asking God for something in your life?