Bible Reading:
Luke 1:1-6
1Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,
2Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
3It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
4That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
5THERE was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
6And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
Devotional:
After God spoke through Malachi there were some four hundred years when there was no revelation to men from their Creator. What was happening through these years?
There was much apostasy. Many turned from the precepts of God. Many failed to obey God's command to remember His law, as we find it written in Malachi's closing chapter (4:4).
There were some, however, who through the generations were still faithful to God. They had taught their children as God had required. They had prayed. They were waiting in faith for the Messiah to come. In the midst of those who were asking scornfully 'Where is the promise of his coming?', there were some whose eyes were turned toward the future and whose ears were awaiting the angelic announcement.
Zacharias was one of the latter. He was a faithful priest in the temple in Jerusalem. His wife, Elizabeth, also of priestly descent, shared his hope. 'They were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless' (Luke 1:6). They were not perfect, but their lives were marked by godliness.
The beautiful picture of marriage we have here in Zacharias and Elizabeth reminds us that there is a unity of spirit that can exist only with two believing persons. Two unbelievers joined in marriage worship gods of their own making. In a mixed marriage obviously each is worshipping a different god. In Christian marriage a man and a woman are walking hand in hand in the same direction, both of them fully resolved to obey the God of their salvation according to His Word. There is possible for the Christian couple a relationship which none else can have.
Are we both Christians? Are we experiencing what would be possible for us if each were living in close fellowship with God? Do our own children or grandchildren, or the children of others, see in us what God can make of a marriage like that of Zacharias and Elizabeth? As in their day, men now ask in scorn, 'where is the promise of his coming?' (2 Peter 3:4). Do we live holy lives that anticipate the return of our Saviour?
We are happy to have obtained permission to post as our current daily devotional Heirs Together of Life: Daily Bible Reading for Husbands and Wives, published by The Banner of Truth Trust. Don't be misled by the subtitle. As the book's "Preface" indicates (see below), although Heirs Together of Life is "especially prepared for couples,"the authors declare, "Since the basis for this guide is God's Word, we believe it would have value for any reader."
Charles and Norma Ellis are husband and wife and the authors not only of Heirs Together of Life (which was first published in 1980 and continues in print today), but also of Wells of Salvation (first published in 1985, and likewise still in print today). The latter contains a series of short studies covering the entire book of Isaiah, while the former contains a series of almost 200 short studies covering the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. Both books by the Ellises can be ordered from the publisher, The Banner of Truth Trust. We trust that these daily Bible readings, posted daily on our site, will be helpful to you in your Christian walk before God. Whether married or not, all of us are members of families and members of the family of God.
Charles Ellis was educated at Wheaton College and Westminster Theological Seminary. Upon graduation from Westminster (where he earned not only a Th.B. but also a Th.M.), he was ordained to the ministry in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and pastored a number of OPC churches, including Immanuel OPC in West Collingswood, New Jersey; First OPC in Cincinnati, Ohio; Covenant OPC in East Orange, New Jersey; Knox OPC in Silver Spring, Maryland; and Lakeview OPC in Rockport, Maine. Less biographical information is available about his wife, but it is known that they served as parents of seven children. After retiring from the ministry, Charles Ellis went to be with the Lord in 2003, but he and his wife left us with a beautiful legacy in the two books they have given to the world, and we are proud to share the daily Bible readings from Heirs Together of Life here with you.
© 2024 The Orthodox Presbyterian Church