Daily Bread: Faithful In The Waiting

😇 Shalom to all.
Firman Allah hari ini:

“Pada zaman Herodes, raja Yudea, adalah seorang imam yang bernama Zakharia dari rombongan Abia. Isterinya juga berasal dari keturunan Harun, namanya Elisabet. Keduanya adalah BENAR DI HADAPAN ALLAH dan hidup menurut segala perintah dan ketetapan Tuhan dengan tidak bercacat. Tetapi mereka TIDAK MEMPUNYAI ANAK, sebab Elisabet mandul dan keduanya telah LANJUT UMURNYA. Pada suatu kali, waktu tiba giliran rombongannya, Zakharia MELAKUKAN TUGAS KEIMAMAN di hadapan Tuhan. Sebab ketika diundi, sebagaimana lazimnya, untuk menentukan imam yang bertugas, dialah yang ditunjuk untuk masuk ke dalam Bait Suci dan membakar ukupan di situ. Sementara itu seluruh umat berkumpul di luar dan sembahyang. Waktu itu adalah waktu pembakaran ukupan. Maka tampaklah kepada Zakharia seorang malaikat Tuhan berdiri di sebelah kanan mezbah pembakaran ukupan. Melihat hal itu ia terkejut dan menjadi takut. Tetapi malaikat itu berkata kepadanya: ”JANGAN TAKUT, hai Zakharia, sebab doamu telah dikabulkan dan Elisabet, isterimu, akan melahirkan seorang anak laki-laki bagimu dan haruslah engkau menamai dia Yohanes.”
(Lukas 1:5-13 TB)

Kisah kelahiran Yohanes Pembaptis (pendahulu Yesus):
dari pasangan tua Zakharia dan Elisabet, keluarga yang saleh; adalah tokoh terkemuka dalam komunitas Yahudi selama masa pemerintahan Raja Herodes di Yudea. Meskipun hidup saleh, mereka menghadapi cobaan yang berat dalam hidup mereka: Elisabet mandul, dan mereka berdua sudah lanjut usia.

Dalam konteks budaya Yudea kuno, kemandulan sering dianggap sebagai sumber rasa malu dan aib bagi sebuah keluarga, terutama kaum perempuan. Namun, Zakharia dan Elisabet tetap teguh dalam iman mereka, percaya pada kedaulatan Tuhan.

MESKIPUN HARAPAN ITU BELUM TERWUJUDKAN, MEREKA DENGAN SETIA MENYEMBAH TUHAN DAN MELAYANI DIA.

Kesatuan suami istri Zakharia dan Elisabet, merupakan bukti komitmen mereka bersama untuk menghormati Tuhan dan menjalani hidup benar dan saleh meskipun menghadapi tantangan.

Ya Tuhan, tolonglah agar aku tak menjadi takut; mampukanlah hati dan pikiranku untuk tetap percaya kepada-Mu dan memahami bahwa Tuhan itu setia. Amin.

Bless you
ps caleblusi
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😇 Shalom to all
God’s word today:

“There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both RIGHTEOUS BEFORE GOD, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. But they had NO CHILD, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both WELL ADVANCED IN YEARS. So it was, that while he was SERVING AS PRIEST before God in the order of his division, according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.”
(Luke 1:5-13 NKJV)

The story of the birth of John the baptist (forerunner of Jesus):
from an old couple Zechariah and Elizabeth, a devout and righteous family; were prominent figures in the Jewish community during the time of King Herod’s reign in Judea. Despite their devoutness, they faced a significant trial in their lives: Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.

In the cultural context of ancient Judea, barrenness was often perceived as a source of shame and disgrace for a family, especially women. However, Zechariah and Elizabeth remained steadfast in their faith, trusting in God’s sovereignty.

DESPITE THE HOPE WAS NOT MATERIALIZED YET, THEY FAITHFULLY WORSHIP GOD and SERVE HIM.

The union of Zechariah and Elizabeth was a testament to their shared commitment to honoring God and living upright lives in spite of challenges.

Dear God, help me not to be afraid; enable my heart and my mind to trust You and understand that God is faithful. Amen.

Bless you
ps caleblusi