Devotionals by Raul Ries

THURSDAY December 18, 2025

Heartfelt Discussions

Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea.  And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, “What kind of child will this be?” And the hand of the Lord was with him.
Luke 1:65-66

Imagine, all the neighbors and relatives who lived around Zacharias and Elizabeth were in awe about what was happening: Elizabeth had a child in her old age, Zacharias was mute, and now he spoke when his son John was named. Then he gave a lengthy prophecy about his son and the Messiah. So many miraculous things were happening, and it caused them to marvel.

The people around Zacharias and Elizabeth talked about what was happening. These heartfelt discussions spread throughout the hill country of Judea. It caused people to contemplate what these extraordinary occurrences meant? They knew God was doing something miraculous, but they could not fully grasp what He was doing.

For now, they kept all they heard in their hearts. In their minds, because John’s birth was surrounded by unusual and unexplainable occurrences, they asked themselves this question, “What kind of child will this be?” They would have to wait and see––only time would tell. So much had happened that people really did not know what to expect next.

Those who diligently studied the Scriptures knew the end from the beginning. Christ would soon appear––the Dayspring on High, Jesus, would visit His people: “...the Dayspring from on high has visited us; to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:78-79).

Do you diligently study the Scriptures? Then you too will know the beginning from the end––Jesus will return in the Second Coming (Matthew 24:30).

Christ whose glory fills the skies, Christ, the true, the only Light, Sun of Righteousness arise, Triumph o’er the shades of night;
Dayspring from on high, be near;
Daystar, in my heart appear.
~Charles Wesley~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!