We’ve got your daily encouragement, written by Hannah Puder.
Today we kick off our first Faith Workout on Joy. This month is going to be a little different than our normal faith cycles. We’re going to look at the birth of Jesus, why this season is so special to us, and the joy of a fulfilled promise. We’ll be reading through Luke, but then, as it shows prophecies fulfilled, we’ll spend a day, or several, looking at the prophecies from the Old Testament that correlate.
We want to think about what it would have been like for the Jews as they waited thousands of years for their Messiah. Imagine the rough aspects of your life, and things you’ve been through, and what it would be like to have someone promise you a savior, and that savior finally came. Would you recognize him? Would you know that’s what is happening? Would you be able to suspend your idea of salvation to accept the one being given to you?
Bible Reading:
“Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.”
Luke 1:1-4
Word:
As we delve into the Book of Luke, it is important to note that Luke was not a Jew, but rather a Gentile, and the purpose of his writings was to affirm to fellow Gentiles that he himself could validate the veracity of Jesus’ life and ministry.
Luke also focuses on the humanity of Christ by painstakingly painting the story of Christ’s birth, starting with an angel appearing to Mary (Luke 1:26-38), to the lowest of the ancient class, shepherds visiting the newborn babe (Luke 2:8-20).
Luke writes, “I too decided to write an orderly account,” implying that at the time of his writing, other accounts of Christ’s life had already been written. So what compelled Luke to also write his account?
Luke answers this question: he also wanted to verify the testimony of other believers.
Luke devoted hours and hours of research, interviewing the apostles and other eyewitnesses, merely to know for himself the truthfulness of the Gospel.
Proverbs 25:2 states that “it is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.”
Luke wasn’t satisfied just hearing about Jesus, he wanted to know who Jesus was for himself.
Prayer:
Lord, as I intentionally study your Word, help me to understand the Truths of the Kingdom. Holy Spirit, breathe upon your Word and bring understanding to areas of my faith that I have not previously understood (Job 32:8). Thank you that you are faithful to fulfill the truths found in Your Word in my life (Jeremiah 1:12).
Skillwork:
What area of faith have we only “heard” preachers or pastors share on, be we ourselves have never dug into the Word to verify for ourselves the truths of the Gospel? That is how our faith is made unshakable – when the Word enters our hearts not just our heads because we have spent time seeking out the Truth.
If there is an area in your walk with the Lord that you have never actually dug into the Word for yourself and studied, take this month of December to read the Word. Find study guides and research materials to help you understand the context of Scripture and to rightfully discern the Word of Truth (2 Timothy 2:15).
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