The Comfort of the Ordinary

Written By Léonce B. Crump Jr.

5 Day Devotional

This five-day devotional will be taking a deeper dive into the sermon from Sunday, November 30, 2025, exploring the themes of faith, expectation, and divine surprises as demonstrated through the life of Zechariah. Prepare to be inspired and challenged to look beyond the ordinary.

Day 1

Scripture: Luke 1:5-7

In his routine of priestly duties, Zechariah exemplifies faithfulness amidst life's ordinary patterns. Often, our daily lives mirror Zechariah's — following God’s commands, yet bearing silent disappointments. His story unveils a God who sees the steadfast, even when hope appears distant.

Zechariah and Elizabeth’s childlessness symbolizes those unmet desires we have long prayed for. It challenges us to ponder how routine can lead to spiritual numbness. As God stepped into Zechariah's routine with an unexpected blessing, let it remind us that God often works mightily just beyond our expectations.

  • Identify an area of your life where you feel stuck in routine. How might God want to surprise you there?

  • Reflect on a time when you experienced a blessing that exceeded your expectations.

  • What is a prayer you have ceased to pray, and how can today's reflection rejuvenate that desire?

  • Ask God to open your eyes to witness His work in the ordinary.

  • Pray for renewed hope and faith in areas where disappointment has settled in.

Day 2

Scripture: Luke 1:8-12

The narrative of Zechariah’s encounter with the angel begins in the Holy Place, a sacred space, yet marked by predictability. He, a high-functioning professional, moved through the motions with low expectations. This moment, however, signifies a powerful divine intrusion.

As Zechariah performed the ritual, an angelic presence shifted his reality. He illustrates that being in the most consecrated places doesn't exempt us from moments of spiritual routine and fear. What if divine intervention is waiting to pierce through our predictable rhythm, urging us to anticipate the miraculous?

  • What routine in your spiritual life could be hindering you from experiencing God's surprises?

  • Consider the sacred "Holy Places" in your life. How might they be both a blessing and a routine?

  • Reflect on a moment when fear eclipsed your faith. How did you move past it?

  • Pray for a heart ready to accept God's surprising interventions.

  • Ask for courage to move beyond fear and embrace divine possibilities.

Day 3

Scripture: Luke 1:13-17

Zechariah's life radically shifts with Gabriel's proclamation, challenging him to view the divine plan beyond his limited human expectation. The gift of his son, John, was not a mere familial blessing but a critical step in God's redemptive history.

God's instructions through Gabriel, specific and mission-focused, remind us that God’s intentions align with His Kingdom's unfolding. This story invites us to look beyond personal gratifications to the bigger canvas of God’s purpose that He invites us to be a part of.

  • Have you ever seen personal desires align with a greater purpose? Describe that experience.

  • How does recognizing a higher purpose in your life change your perspective on your current circumstances?

  • Reflect on an area in your life where you feel God is calling you for a greater mission.

  • Pray for discernment to understand God’s greater purpose for your life.

  • Seek strength to commit to God’s plans, even when the bigger picture is unclear.

Day 4

Scripture: Luke 1:18-20

Zechariah's response of doubt upon hearing God's promise unveils a common human reaction to divine interruptions—skepticism rooted in past disappointments. Despite his initial disbelief, God extends grace through silence, offering space for reflection and transformation during Elizabeth’s pregnancy.

This silence was not punishment but a gift, allowing Zechariah time to realign his perspective with faith and expectation. It symbolizes those moments in our lives when we must pause, rethink, and let God reinvigorate our worn-out spirits with His promises.

  • When has doubt intruded on your faith journey? What caused it?

  • How can periods of silence or waiting enhance your spiritual growth?

  • Reflect on a time when God's grace was evident in your period of doubt or fear.

  • Pray for the patience to linger through God's silences without hastening to conclusions.

  • Ask for the eyes of faith to see God's grace even in moments of uncertainty.

Day 5

Scripture: Luke 1:63-64

After John's birth, when Zechariah’s voice returns, the first thing he does is prophesy and bless. This transformation from doubt to purpose-filled declaration demonstrates the journey of surrendering personal desires to embrace God’s grand vision.

Zechariah's story challenges us to speak faith into existence, redirecting focus from past fears to future hopes. His story teaches us that the past doesn’t define us; rather, it prepares us for extraordinary purposes when the ordinary leads into the miraculous.

  • Consider a turnaround moment in your life that felt transformative. How did it shape your journey?

  • How can speaking God's promise change your present circumstances or outlook?

  • What steps can you take to transition from fear to embracing God's divine purpose?

  • Pray for the clarity to see beyond the ordinary to the miraculous path God has prepared for you.

  • Ask for the courage to declare God’s promises over your life and those around you.

Rewatch the Sermon

Léonce B. Crump Jr.
Next

Living From Heaven Down