Great Plains Daily Devotional for 6/23/2020

Luke 1:5-23 

The angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah. Your prayers have been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will give birth to your son and you must name him John” (vs.13). I often wonder if, after picking himself up off the floor, if the follow-up words may have somehow brought some comfort to Zechariah? For he will be great in the Lord’s eyes. He will bring many Israelites back to the Lord their God. He will turn the disobedient to righteous patterns of thinking. (vs. 15,16,17b).

It’s not everyday those words are spoken to an upcoming father.

Just as quickly I find my mind wondering about John, as he has grown into the person God anointed him to be. John prepares the way for the Lord – what a high calling! Bringing people back to the Lord, instructing them on turning from their disobedience into people of righteousness.

As I meditate on this passage today, our nation and world are in turmoil. COVID-19, the Inflammatory Disease, and the racial injustice has attempted to dim the flame of Pentecost. It does not matter what news channel you watch, from local to national, it’s the same stories. The stories that are so strongly attempting to put out the fire of righteousness.

I don’t have the answers. I don’t know the proper words to say. Yet what I do know, is like John, I am called and anointed to bring people back to God. I, like John, are called to teach others to turn from disobedience to righteousness. There is something else that I do know – you are John also. You are also called and anointed to bring people back to God. You are also called to teach others to turn from disobedience to righteousness. Indeed, it takes every single one of us to produce change. We don’t have to know the proper words. We don’t have to have the answers. We just need to be like John.

Hey, John – what are you up to today?

Prayer for Reflection

Genesis 21:8-21
Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17
Romans 6:1b-11
Matthew 10:24-39