on February 23, 2012
Luke 1:59-66 – On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, but his mother spoke up and said, "No! He is to be called John." They said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who has that name." Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone's astonishment he wrote, "His name is John." Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God. The neighbors were all filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, "What then is this child going to be?" For the Lord's hand was with him.
Everything about the life of this child testifies to us of God’s mercy and plan. First of all, God granted this blessing to a woman past childbearing years. What mercy! What grace! Then, at the sound of Mary’s voice, the baby leaped for joy inside of her when she was six months along in the pregnancy. We also recognize that the Lord had named this child even before he was conceived and the angel of the Lord took away Zechariah’s voice until he was born because of unbelief. God had a plan! His plan involved a baby boy! There was no doubt in the minds of everyone who knew the parents that something very special was intended for this gift from God.
Eight days after the baby was born they brought him to be circumcised and to officially name him. Apparently those overseeing such things thought he should be named after his father, but his mother insisted that his name would be called John. Since it must have been common practice to name children after a relative, they were perplexed that Elizabeth would want to give him a name without any family significance. So, they turned to the baby’s father to inquire as to his name selection. It’s interesting to note that “they made signs” to him, perhaps thinking that because he couldn’t speak that he was also deaf. To the astonishment of everyone, he wrote on a tablet, “His name is John.” This single act of compliance with the word of the angel of the Lord seemed to spark another even more astonishing result. Zechariah’s tongue was loosened and he was able to speak again! His first words were expressions of praise to God. All of the amazing experiences surrounding this special event created quite a stir in those friends and neighbors who witnessed it first hand. To them, this was absolutely awesome and it became the talk of the whole countryside. These happenings had every indication that this was a God-thing! And, the big question on everyone’s mind was, “What then is this child going to be?”
For those who have ever had the thrill of experiencing the miracle of conception, pregnancy and birth, you can testify that the entire event is an absolutely awe-inspiring wonder. It is a sacred treasure – this thing of human life – and every baby should cause parents, family, friends and neighbors to be filled with praise! Everyone should be able to recognize the Lord’s hand in the event and wonder, “What then is this child going to be?” Each new life is a gift of God’s mercy and grace as well as another potential participant in God’s eternal plan! Any other view is destructive to the wellbeing and future of the child.
Thursday:
- Meet together with at least 1 or 2 other believers to enter the Throne Room of Grace.
- Join our 6:00pm Thursday night prayer team.
Friday:
- Praise God for the gift of children and the potential blessing that each new life brings.
- Pray for the Good News families of the week: Peter & Laurel George (Annabeth, Luke, Josiah), Pastor Dave & Cindy George, Allen Grandin (Junior).
Saturday:
- Praise God for His plan and His mercy that includes procreation and children!
Sunday:
- Celebrate each life with the wonder of his or her potential to glorify our Creator.
Monday:
- Invest in children in ways that help them know that God has a wonderful plan for them!
- Attend “In Touch” Prayer meeting at GNCC at 10:30am or join in prayer at that time.
Tuesday:
- Praise God that He involves Himself in human lives and events to accomplish His good purpose!
Wednesday:
- Take notice when the hand of the Lord is upon a child and help him/her to trust in God’s plan.
Prayer Challenge: Recognize that the purpose and plan for life has come from God. Thank Him for the plan He has for each child’s life. Realize that we are not yet what we shall be, but know that one day we shall be perfectly like Jesus, for we shall see Him just as He is! Ask God to help you recognize the awe and wonder of each new life so that you will invest in children as sacred and precious gifts of God.