The story of Zechariah burning incense in the Temple shows how God directs our path. Luke 1: 8 One day, Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. 9 As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense.[1]
At the time, there was an abundance of priests, and they were divided into twenty-four groups (1 Chronicles 24). Each priest served at the Temple two weeks out of the year. The tasks of each priest were determined by lot.[2] A priest burned incense in the Holy Place before the morning sacrifice and after the evening sacrifice. This was a very high honor and was bestowed only once in a priest’s lifetime. Some priests would never receive the honor. The lot fell to Zechariah. It was a divine setup for the angel to speak to Zechariah and convey a message about the birth of John the Baptist.
God Guides Our Service in the Kingdom
Often, as believers, we assume we can’t do Kingdom work unless we are in a formal ministry, such as a pastor or missionary. This is not true. God wants to use us wherever He has placed us. Psalm 32: 8 The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”[3]
While it is true that Zechariah was a priest, God made sure the lot fell to him at just the right time. As we examine the Christmas story, we see that God came to ordinary people and guided their paths. Mary was a young girl in an out-of-the-way village. Joseph was a carpenter. The shepherds were watching their sheep. Yet, in each case, God broke in to guide their paths. None of these had a formal position in the Jewish hierarchy, but God used them.
As a pastor, I have found that there are groups of people who are resistant to hearing the Gospel from me. Often, these individuals harbor a grudge against the church and assume that I am merely seeking financial gain in my position as pastor. While this is not true, their attitude blocks them from hearing how Jesus loves them. However, friends or coworkers may be able to reach these individuals because that prejudice is not present.
God Guides Us More Than We Realize
Zechariah didn’t grasp how God was working in the background. We all have confusing times when we don’t see or understand how God is working. Yet, we can be certain that God is working and guiding us, even when we don’t see it. Isaiah 41: 10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. [4]
In confusing times, it is hard to understand how God could possibly be working through our circumstances. Yet God knows what we are going through and will strengthen us in the test. This is what will prepare us for the future victory.
To learn more about how God directs our path, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-gift-of-children
[1,3,4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 171). Victor Books.
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