one step: Luke 1.18

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
    for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
to give knowledge of salvation to his people
    in the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God,
    whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Luke 1:76-79

After his mouth is opened, Zechariah prophesies over his son John. He rightfully proclaims that John will prepare the way of the Lord Jesus.* In a time of political pressures and oppression by the Romans, the temptation was to think that the salvation of the Lord would be one of force and governmental upheaval (something temporary).* However, the words of Zechariah point toward the message of John and the mission of Jesus: the forgiveness of sins (something eternal).*

We must not allow the difficulties of our circumstances to diminish our appreciation of the great works of God’s hand in our lives. It would be easy for those hearing Zechariah to say, “well, that’s all well and good that Jesus wants to take away our sin, but what about the Romans?!” It can be easy in our difficulties to say, “well, thanks for all you’ve done in my life, God, but what about ___________?!”

The acts of God to bring the forgiveness of sin was an act of great mercy.* Sending John to tell them of this work was also a great act of mercy.* God did not send Jesus to do His salvific work in silent secrecy. No, He, in His mercy, told us to look out for it. It’s as if God was saying, “don’t miss it!”

Today, we must know that God is working on our behalf in acts of mercy. Perhaps today this devotional is also His mercy, letting you know that He is working. There are things He’s doing in your life (including the forgiveness of sin) that today He’s saying, “don’t miss it!”

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to recognize the salvation that He’s given you. Perhaps today He wants you to know that He is working on your behalf. Maybe today God would have you shift your perspective from temporary things to eternal things.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

*Bock, D. L. (1994). Luke (Lk 1:76–80). InterVarsity Press.
Garland, D. E. (2012). Luke (pp. 106–109). Zondervan.
Edwards, J. R. (2015). The Gospel according to Luke (D. A. Carson, Ed.; pp. 61–64). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Apollos.
Liefeld, W. L., & Pao, D. W. (2007). Luke. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Luke–Acts (Revised Edition) (Vol. 10, pp. 70–72). Zondervan.
Bock, D. L. (1996). Luke (p. 77). Zondervan Publishing House.
Bock, D. L. (1994). Luke: 1:1–9:50 (Vol. 1, pp. 179–194). Baker Academic.
Nolland, J. (1989). Luke 1:1–9:20 (Vol. 35A, pp. 82–90). Word, Incorporated.

one step: Luke 1.17

And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered. And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.
Luke 1:62-66

Zechariah came into alignment with the will of God for his son: to be named John. When he did, his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed. This miracle solicited a response from the people present that day. What response do we have when we see miracles in our life?

There is a plague in our society today that assigns extra meaning to ordinary things (conspiracy), and assigns natural meaning to supernatural things (naturalism). It’s far too easy to explain things away when God moves, and it’s tempting to insert our own meaning into every day events to find our own meaning. Chasing after conspiracy threatens to waste our time, distract us from what is real and good, and put fear of all sorts of things in our heart. Assigning speculative meaning to events births fear of the future, fear of death, and more.

When we rob God of the glory of his miracles by explaining them away as natural events, we rob ourselves of something important: the fear of God.

Upon witnessing the miracle of God, those around Zechariah began to fear. Fear what? Fear God. What did this fear of God cause? An understanding that God was up to something big.

All throughout Jewish history the words, “the hand of the Lord was with him,” indicates the active presence of the power of God.* Often, the phrase indicated that God was up to some redemptive work. Their fear of God caused them to understand that God was at work in John’s story, and that the story of God in his life could mean redemption.*

We typically understand the fear of God as something that would cause us to cower and distance ourselves from Him. True, biblical fear of God causes us to press into the purposes and presence of God, not pull away.

What miracle has God done in your life? Did you explain it away? What conspiracies are stealing your attention and causing fear in your life? Are you allowing the fear of God to open your eyes to His redemptive work in your world?

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to revisit His work in your life. Perhaps today God wants you to fear Him, drawing close to His presence and His purposes. Maybe today God wants you to realize that He is at work in your life. Perhaps God wants you to know that His hand is with you for some redemptive work.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

*Bock, D. L. (1994). Luke (Lk 1:59–66). InterVarsity Press.
Garland, D. E. (2012). Luke (pp. 105–106). Zondervan.
Edwards, J. R. (2015). The Gospel according to Luke (D. A. Carson, Ed.; p. 60). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Apollos.
Liefeld, W. L., & Pao, D. W. (2007). Luke. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Luke–Acts (Revised Edition) (Vol. 10, p. 68). Zondervan.
Bock, D. L. (1996). Luke (p. 75). Zondervan Publishing House.
Bock, D. L. (1994). Luke: 1:1–9:50 (Vol. 1, pp. 169–170). Baker Academic.
Nolland, J. (1989). Luke 1:1–9:20 (Vol. 35A, p. 80). Word, Incorporated.

one step: Luke 1.16

Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.” And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.” And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered.
Luke 1:57-63

When the time of naming the son of Elizabeth and Zechariah came, Zechariah was still unable to speak, and according to the signing required to communicate with him, he was unable to hear as well (a condition brought on by his unbelief - see Luke 1:20).* In this state of unawareness, Zechariah didn’t notice the desire of the family and friends around him to name his son after him.*

In Jewish culture at the time, it was tradition to name a son after a father or a grandfather.* This was especially true when the father was a person of great esteem, as was the case with Zechariah.* It was natural for those gathered to assume that the baby’s name would be Zechariah. They assumed that they understood his legacy. According to one scholar, however, they took one step beyond assuming.

According to George Garland, the original language, unlike the english translations that are common to us, indicates that they were actually actively referring to the baby as “Zechariah.”* Meaning, while Zechariah couldn’t speak or hear, everyone was calling the baby, “Zechariah.” Leaning on tradition, everyone had decided the outcome.

Elizabeth thought differently.

The Bible doesn’t indicate how Elizabeth knew that the baby’s name was to be John, but not however she knew, she spoke up against the traditions of her culture and popular thinking to hold fast to God’s Word. The name “John” was not an uncommon name for priests, and because his naming was directly from God, to reject the name meant rejecting his destiny.* This was something that Elizabeth and Zechariah would not do.

When tradition and popular thinking go against what God has said, what will we do? When everyone around us has decided the outcome, will we have the boldness to put a stop to it and affirm God’s promise? Will we recognize that the legacy God has for us is anything but natural?

“John” is a shortened form of “Jochanan.”* It means, “God’s gracious gift.”* God has gracious gifts for you and me. Will we stand up for them? Will our own inability to hear and speak keep us from aligning to God’s will?

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to remember that He has given you gracious gifts. Perhaps today God wants you to stand up against popular thinking or tradition that opposes God’s promises. Maybe today God wants to change your legacy.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

*Bock, D. L. (1994). Luke (Lk 1:59–66). InterVarsity Press.
Garland, D. E. (2012). Luke (pp. 104–105). Zondervan.
Edwards, J. R. (2015). The Gospel according to Luke (D. A. Carson, Ed.; pp. 58–60). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Apollos.
Liefeld, W. L., & Pao, D. W. (2007). Luke. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Luke–Acts (Revised Edition) (Vol. 10, p. 68). Zondervan.
Bock, D. L. (1996). Luke (p. 74). Zondervan Publishing House.
Bock, D. L. (1994). Luke: 1:1–9:50 (Vol. 1, pp. 166–167). Baker Academic.
Nolland, J. (1989). Luke 1:1–9:20 (Vol. 35A, pp. 78–79). Word, Incorporated.

one step: Luke 1.15

And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.
Luke 1:56

Have you ever received a promise from God, seen movement toward it, and then everything stalled out? In moments like this, there’s a feeling of excitement and expectancy that sounds like, “Wow! This is really happening!” followed by, well… nothing.

Mary receives the promise of God of the coming Savior, sings a song of rejoicing after the confirmation she receives from Elizabeth, and then she waits. Three months.

Time may fly when you’re having fun, but time does not fly when you are waiting. The forty-five minutes that pass in the first half of your favorite movie seem to fly by. The forty-five minutes that painfully crawl by in the waiting area of the DMV, now that’s another story.

Scripture does not tell us how these three months of remaining with Elizabeth felt. Scripture does not even tell us exactly why Mary waited, nor does it tell us why she decided to return home when she did.* We do know, however, that the promise for Elizabeth and the promise for Mary came to fruition; God did what He said He would do.

God often makes promises to His people, as seen all through Scripture. Maybe God has made a promise to you in your life. How long have you been waiting? Did you see forward motion for a moment, and then find yourself being asked to remain for a while?

In the greater story of Mary, three months really wasn’t long to remain and wait. In the greater story of humanity, three months is a blip in history.

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to remain. Perhaps today God wants you to remember that your wait for the promise isn’t as long as it feels. Maybe today God wants you to know that He does what He says He will do.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

*Garland, D. E. (2012). Luke (p. 96). Zondervan.
Edwards, J. R. (2015). The Gospel according to Luke (D. A. Carson, Ed.; p. 56). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Apollos.
Bock, D. L. (1994). Luke: 1:1–9:50 (Vol. 1, pp. 160–161). Baker Academic.
Nolland, J. (1989). Luke 1:1–9:20 (Vol. 35A, p. 74, 76–77). Word, Incorporated.

one step: water break

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
    “May they be secure who love you!
Peace be within your walls
    and security within your towers!”
For my brothers and companions' sake
    I will say, “Peace be within you!”
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
    I will seek your good.

Psalm 122:6-9

The One Step Daily Devotional is intended to provide just one step each day for your journey with God. Every journey requires water breaks. Here is a water break for you.

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What is it to have peace in your life? In Psalm 122:6-9, two words relate to our understanding of peace. The first is shalom, which refers to a general, all-encompassing peace in life.* The second, translated here as “secure,” is shalah, which means “to be at rest” or “to be undisturbed.”*

All of us want a peace in our life that extends into every area; we want to be at rest, without fear of disturbance. How do we get there?

Psalm 122 links this kind of peace with praying for the peace of Jerusalem. How does that work?

In the time when Psalm 122 was written, the people of Israel had just returned from exile in Babylon, and, according to Nehemiah 1:3 and Nehemiah 5, lived in very difficult circumstances.* Just because they were free, it didn’t meant they had no troubles. They needed peace and security in the most intense of ways.

When the psalmist connected love for Jerusalem and prayer for peace for Jerusalem to personal security, it wasn’t because there was a magical machine in Heaven that had a “love and pray for Jerusalem’s peace” button that would output personal security.

No, the psalmist connects love and prayers for peace for Israel to personal security because of the importance of Jerusalem to the community.* Have you ever heard, “when Mama’s not happy, ain’t no body happy?” When the center of Israel’s civic, religious, and community (Jerusalem) was at peace, so were the individual people as their connection to Jerusalem was purposeful, meaningful, and multi-layered.* The connection between a love for and prayers for the peace of Israel was logical, not mystical.

So what about us today? Should we pray for the peace of Jerusalem? If we do, will it impact our personal security? Yes. As believers in Jesus, we are grafted into the family of God (Romans 11:11-24). As a part of the people of God, the center of our history, the place of the origin of our faith, and our familial roots extend deeply into Jerusalem. Logically, if there is no peace in Jerusalem, we will also be impacted.

Today, take a step. Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to pray for peace in Jerusalem. Perhaps today God wants you to remember that peace and security are possible in Him. Maybe today God wants you to reflect on your connectedness to His people as a member of His family. Perhaps today God wants you to pray for peace in your city, nation, or capitol.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus. Take a water break… we all get thirsty.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

*Tucker, W. D., Jr. (2018). Psalms 107–150. In T. Muck (Ed.), Psalms (Vol. 2, pp. 743–744). Zondervan.
Allen, L. C. (2002). Psalms 101–150 (Revised) (Vol. 21, pp. 214–215). Word, Incorporated.
VanGemeren, W. A. (2008). Psalms. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Psalms (Revised Edition) (Vol. 5, p. 899). Zondervan.
Fausset, A. R. (n.d.). A Commentary, Critical, Experimental, and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments: Job–Isaiah: Vol. III (pp. 377–378). William Collins, Sons, & Company, Limited.