HE DIDN'T LET A HANDICAP KEEP HIM FROM DOING HIS DUTY TO GOD The man under consideration was Zacharias the father of John the Baptist. In Luke 1 we read of his being righteous and Elizabeth, his wife, being righteous also. They kept the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless (Luke 1:6). He "executed the priest's office before God in order of his course." (Luke 1:8). He was of the course of Abia and it was his week to serve at the temple. We are further told that "his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord." (Luke 1:9). While doing this an angel appeared to him and told him "thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John." (Luke 1:13). He wanted a sign that this would be so and the angel said, "behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season." (Luke 1 :20). Zacharias was really handicapped to do any duties as a priest after this but he did not let that stop him from his service to God. Many people would have let it be known that they could not continue in the worship services being both deaf and unable to speak. The scriptures say, "And when he came out, he could not speak unto them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. And it came to pass, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house." (Luke 1:22, 23). Though handicapped he finished up his worship duties to God as a priest. What a lesson to people who have infirmities of the flesh. I know there is sickness that can keep people from worship because they just can't go. However some of the diseases we have in the flesh are not contagious to others and we have to live with them for a long time before death takes place. We should not use these things to keep us from faithfulness to worship for as long as we can make it to the assemblies of the church. Why? 1. God wants our worship. He wants our private devotions and he also wants our public worship. Concerning the New Testament under which we live, Jesus said "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him." (John 4:23). Public assemblies are very important to the Christian so he can express praise to God and be edified in the Faith. "Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works." (Hebrews 10:24). 2. Jesus said that when we gather to worship He is with us. "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:20). We should really want fellowship with our Savior which is to be had in public worship services where things are done as He commands. 3. We are told not to forsake the assemblies. "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25). We need to be there to help teach and admonish one another in song as well as thereby be praising God (Colossians 3:16). We need the time spent in prayers together. There is great power in praying together in the assemblies. We need to partake of the Lord's Supper in remembrance of the death of Jesus for us. We need the sermons carefully prepared and delivered for our instruction and edification. We need to give to the Lord's work so that we can glorifiy God through the church (Ephesians 3 :21). We need the fellowship of other Christians and to be part of the Lord's work of reaching the lost and encouraging the saved.
Being faithful in worship will provide the opportunities to get ready to leave this world. C.D.
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