A people prepared
Today's focusAn angel tells Zacharias that his son John will be filled with the Holy Ghost and go before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, turning hearts and making ready a people prepared for the Lord.
Read
13But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. 14And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. 15For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. 16And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. 17And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
Reflection
It is a profound comfort to see how God answers prayer and prepares the way for His work. When the angel tells Zacharias, "fear not," he reveals that a long-awaited child will be born to bring "joy and gladness." This son, John, is set apart for a specific, holy purpose. Even before his birth, he is promised to be "filled with the Holy Ghost" to serve as a messenger who goes before the Lord.
The mission of this child is one of restoration and transformation. He is sent in the "spirit and power of Elias" to mend what is broken, specifically "to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children." By turning the "disobedient to the wisdom of the just," his work is "to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." For you today, this reminds us that God is actively working to soften hearts and lead people back to Himself. His power is able to turn our lives toward His wisdom, preparing us to receive Him more fully.
AI-written reflection on the passage above. Let Scripture itself be the main thing.
Reflect
How could God use your life to help prepare others' hearts for him?
Pray
Lord, you had a purpose for John before he was born. Fill me with your Spirit. Use my life to help make ready a people prepared for you.