WEDNESDAY December 12, 2018
Birth of John the Baptist
Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.
Luke 1:57-58
Mary had stayed with her cousin for three months; then came the time for Elizabeth to deliver her baby. The Lord in His mercy had taken away her reproach among the people (Luke 1:25) and had given her a child. While pregnant, Elizabeth sought seclusion, but now her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had blessed her. God had given her a son, and everyone rejoiced (Luke 1:56-58).
Elizabeth gave birth to her son in her old age, and it was a miracle, but that was not the only wonderful thing to happen. On the eighth day, when they circumcised the child, those present expected the baby to be named after his father Zacharias, but Elizabeth had said no, his name would be John. Confused by an unfamiliar name not found in their family lineage, they looked to Zacharias for further confirmation (Luke 1:59-62).
Zacharias motioned for a tablet, and in their amazement, he wrote the name––John (Luke 1:63). Immediately, his tongue was loosed and he could speak, just as the angel had said (Luke 1:20, 64). His first words uttered were praise to his God (Luke 1:59-64).
When Zacharias first heard the angel Gabriel’s message, he had spoken words of unbelief. He could not imagine the possibility of a child being born to him in his old age. But now, when what was spoken by the angel had taken place, he obediently called his son John, and had nothing but praise on his lips for his God.
Do we question God’s Word in unbelief? Or do we believe His Word and have nothing but praise on our lips?
I will extol the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. ~Psalm 34:1(NIV)~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!
