[Talking to the crowds about John the Baptist, Jesus continued:] "Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet."
—Matthew 11:9 NLT
As Amos had prophesied, there was a famine in the land of God's people. It was a horrible famine. It was a long famine! It was a famine of hearing the word of the LORD. God's voice was not heard through his prophets. The passionate fire that once had spoken to Israel was a silent dying ember. God's chosen people suffered; they believed the Almighty heard them, but he refused to act decisively on their behalf and refused to speak directly to them. However, when John began to preach, the voice of God was heard again. Many somehow knew it. Many of them somehow recognized it was God's word through a man's voice. The famine was over. The people poured out into the desert lands to see him and hear God's truth. They were hungry, and only God's word could feed that empty place in their souls. But John was more than a prophet. His coming had been prophesied. He was a servant to others and spoke boldly to the people about God's truth. He especially served the Christ, preparing the hearts of the people for the Messiah's ministry. John's voice was the signal that the prophets' words from years earlier were being fulfilled — at that very moment.
Almighty God, thank you for fulfilling your promises. Thank you for choosing ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Thanks for using special servants to re-awaken hope and speak your word through their own voices. Give me the fervor, the passion, and the courage to share your Good News message today and each day of my life. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2021 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Continue reading...
—Matthew 11:9 NLT
Key Thought
As Amos had prophesied, there was a famine in the land of God's people. It was a horrible famine. It was a long famine! It was a famine of hearing the word of the LORD. God's voice was not heard through his prophets. The passionate fire that once had spoken to Israel was a silent dying ember. God's chosen people suffered; they believed the Almighty heard them, but he refused to act decisively on their behalf and refused to speak directly to them. However, when John began to preach, the voice of God was heard again. Many somehow knew it. Many of them somehow recognized it was God's word through a man's voice. The famine was over. The people poured out into the desert lands to see him and hear God's truth. They were hungry, and only God's word could feed that empty place in their souls. But John was more than a prophet. His coming had been prophesied. He was a servant to others and spoke boldly to the people about God's truth. He especially served the Christ, preparing the hearts of the people for the Messiah's ministry. John's voice was the signal that the prophets' words from years earlier were being fulfilled — at that very moment.
Today's Prayer
Almighty God, thank you for fulfilling your promises. Thank you for choosing ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Thanks for using special servants to re-awaken hope and speak your word through their own voices. Give me the fervor, the passion, and the courage to share your Good News message today and each day of my life. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Ⓒ 1996-2021 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Continue reading...
