Tuesday 2 February, 2016

57 The time came for Elizabeth to have her baby. She gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had been very kind to her. They shared her joy. 59 On the eighth day, they came to have the child circumcised. They were going to name him Zechariah, like his father. 60 But his mother spoke up. “No!” she said. “He must be called John.” 61 They said to her, “No one among your relatives has that name.” 62 Then they motioned to his father. They wanted to find out what he would like to name the child. 63 He asked for something to write on. Then he wrote, “His name is John.” Everyone was amazed. 64 Right away Zechariah could speak again. Right away he praised God. 65 All his neighbors were filled with fear and wonder. Throughout Judea’s hill country, people were talking about all these things. 66 Everyone who heard this wondered about it. And because the Lord was with John, they asked, “What is this child going to be?”

I like to talk. I can’t imagine what it was like for Zechariah to not be able to speak for 9 months! It got his attention – and the attention of the people around. If God were to strike me dumb for unbelief as he did Zechariah – I would probably never speak again. I identify with Zechariah. I too limit what I am prepared to believe based on what I think is possible rather than on God’s capacity and track record. So when I read the response of the people watching when John is born and Zechariah’s ability to speak returns – I am challenged afresh.

V65 “Awe fell upon the whole neighbourhood, and the news of what had happened spread throughout the Judean hills.”

God is at work in and around my life so that the world will know Him, be in awe of Him, and seek Him out. I want to fully partner with God in this – so I have to be prepared to take a God at his word – and believe what He promises.

Lord – keep reminding me You are the God of the impossible. I choose again to live in the realm of faith – trusting in what You can do and will do – so Your Kingdom will come here on earth as it is in heaven.

Written by Ps. Linda Quinn