When God Meets Us in Ordinary Worship
- Baptist Daily Devotional
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | December 14 2025 | Luke 1:8-10
KEY VERSE: “He was chosen by lot … to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.” (Luke 1:9, NIV)
MESSAGE:
Advent teaches us to watch for God—not only in extraordinary moments, but in the quiet rhythms of daily faithfulness. Today’s passage shows Zechariah serving in the temple during his division’s turn. For many priests, this moment—entering the Holy Place to burn incense—was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Yet Zechariah approached it not as a moment of recognition, but as a sacred duty rooted in obedience.
At this point in the story, Zechariah did not know that heaven was about to break its four-hundred-year silence. He simply showed up to serve. And it was in this posture of ordinary faithfulness—lighting incense, praying, and fulfilling his duty—that God chose to reveal His extraordinary plan.
The passage teaches us three key lessons:
God often moves in the middle of our duties: Zechariah was not seeking a miracle; he was simply serving. Advent reminds us that God often breaks through in daily obedience—prayer, worship, service, and quiet devotion.
Ordinary worship creates space for extraordinary encounters: lighting incense symbolised the people's prayers rising to God. What appeared routine from the outside was sacred before God. Our worship may feel ordinary, but God receives it as holy.
Community prayer prepares the way for God’s action: While Zechariah served, the people prayed. God honours the united prayers of His people. Advent calls the church to pray with expectation, trusting that God moves through praying communities.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
Do you approach your daily acts of worship with expectation or as routine tasks? Where might God be preparing to meet you in the ordinary areas of your life? What simple acts of obedience is God calling you to continue during Advent? God meets us where worship and obedience intersect.
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for meeting me in the ordinary moments of worship and service. Teach me to serve You faithfully, even when I do not see immediate results. Open my eyes to recognise Your presence in the simple rhythms of my day. Prepare my heart, like Zechariah’s, to encounter You in ways I do not expect. Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING
DAILY word study: CHOSEN The Greek word translated as "chosen" is Lanchanō. It describes receiving an assignment through God’s ordering rather than personal effort or human planning.
Zechariah did not seek attention or recognition. He simply received his turn to serve. God directed that moment, using a customary process to place him exactly where He intended. What seemed routine became the setting for divine action.
Reflect on this:
How do you approach the responsibilities God has already placed in your hands today?
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