Luke 1: 67-80 
And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,
Blessed be the Lord’s God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all two hate us; to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. And you, child, will be called the prophet of he 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 way of peace. And the child grew became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.
After months of not being silent, he was able to speak. The first thing he spoke was praise to God. Zechariah prophesied the coming of a savior who would redeem the Israelites /Jews. The Jews have been looking for their Messiah. They thought this Messiah would save them from the Romans. They didn’t realize that their Messiah came to save them from their sin.
Verse 80 – John lived in the desert. Why? Prophets use isolation to enhance their spiritual growth and focus on God’s message. John stayed separated away from the economical and political powers so that this message would be aimed against them. He also stayed away from the spiritual leaders of his time.
Johns’ message is different from the leaders of his time. He needed time alone with God. Be still and know that I am God. Time alone with God, you will hear his message!
If God is calling you to a time of isolation, a time in the desert, don’t be afraid to take that time. He is preparing you for a time such as this.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I thank you for sending your son to save us from sin. I thank you for sending prophets to speak to us about your plan. You are so good to us when we don’t deserve it. Father God you are so gracious and merciful to us.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
