Luke 1:57-66
Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.” And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.” And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered. And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.
Oh the anticipation of the arrival of their son. After of many years of waiting, the time had arrived. A name was of great importance to their culture. There is always a significant meaning in a name. John was Elizabeth’s choice and amazingly, Zechariah’s too. John … it’s meaning in the Hebrew is so fitting … “Jehovah has been gracious.”
Jehovah had been gracious to this couple. He had answered the long-awaited prayer for a baby. In the fullness of time, God reached down and presented them with this gracious gift of love and kindness.
What about you … has Jehovah been gracious to you this year? Spend a few moments today reflecting on what He has done for you and offer a prayer of praise and thanksgiving to our gracious and loving Jehovah!
Jehovah, covenant keeper, master and Lord, thank You for the gift of salvation, the gift of mercy, the gift of peace in the midst of the storm. Thank You for giving me second chances. Thank You for doing exceedingly, abundantly more than I could ever ask for or imagine! In Jesus’ name, amen.
Praising Him …
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