Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

 Annunciation to Zechariah

Psalm 145:1-21
v14 The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.
 

This “psalm of praise” is David’s final psalm. David speaking from his experience, recounts God’s goodness and faithfulness in this overwhelming expression of praise.
 
David says in verse 14, “The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.” How true this was in the example we read in Luke 1, that of Zechariah, a priest during King Herod’s reign and his wife Elizabeth who were both righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. But then the Bible tells us that they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.
 
Verses 18 and 19 say - “The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.” God heard the prayer of these faithful servants and sent His angel Gabriel to reveal to Zechariah that Elizabeth would bear him a son, whom they should call John. He would grow up to be the forerunner of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. What a privilege for this old, faithful couple and in Elizabeth’s words, God had shown His favor on them.
 
A British submarine lay disabled on the ocean floor. Several days passed and the crew lost hope of being rescued. The commanding officer told the men that they would all die shortly and suggested that they sing a hymn. So together they sang: “The darkness deepens – Lord with me abide.” As the oxygen supply began to run out, the men gradually grew weak. One weakened sailor lurched forward crashing against the vessel’s surfacing equipment which suddenly began to operate, and the vessel slowly rose from the ocean floor. They all made it back to port safely. (Our Daily Bread, April 29, 2007)
 
God is our Deliverer in times of trouble. Have you ever felt helpless and all alone? Have you longed for an answer from God? Call on Him; He is just a prayer away. Praise God for He is our Strong Deliverer.

PRAYER 
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for being our Strong Deliverer. Help me to be faithful in times of trouble because You are always faithful, no matter how many times I disobey You and cause You grief. Teach me to hold on to You for then I have victory over sin and death. Praise be to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.
 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
When you think you have fallen; He is always there to lift you up.                      

 Roy Samuel, Christos Mar Thoma Church, Mumbai
 
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum