Luke 1:57-80

Summary
In these verses we have an account of the birth of John the Baptist, how Elizabeth’s neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.

Just like we do this present days, friends and relations gathered to name Elizabeth’s child but due to cultural issues, they wanted to name him after his father Zechariah, but his mother spoke up and said, “No” He is to be called John.

Zachariah was still deaf and mute at the ceremony so the question of child’s name fell to Elizabeth and her suggestion of John was opposed by family member knowing fully well that no one bared such names in their history but when Zachariah confirmed it by writing, it was then established.

Talking about Zachariah’ being deaf, when angel Gabriel appeared to him to inform him of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, he responded in unbelief and the chastening result was nine months of speechlessness and deafness but now he was fully ready to obey. There was no question in his mind that God’s will must be done; the child must be named john. He recovered his speech because he now believes. Unbelief closed his mouth, and believing opened it.

Life Application
How many of us have at one time or another doubted God’s promises for our life due to challenges? Delay is not denial. That you are experiencing a delay getting that job, marital break through, fruit of the womb ,admission to school and so on. This does not mean you should lose sight of God’s promise. He is never late, He makes it happen just at the right time
Don’t be weary of calling on God, He is the only way maker doubting His words will only attracts more punishment so keep the faith. When God speaks to you, do not allow anyone to say otherwise, be it your culture, values, family processes/procedures. Follow God’s instructions to detail. Give Him the rightful place in your life by allowing Him to lead and instruct you in the path to go and don’t allow unbelief rub you of your complete break through this year, hold on to the promise and it will come to pass.

Personal Declaration
I will not give up on God’s promises for my life, His words will manifest greatly in my life this year and I shall be celebrated

Reading – Luke 1:57-80

The Birth of John the Baptist

⁵⁷ When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. ⁵⁸ Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.

⁵⁹ On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, ⁶⁰ but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.”

⁶¹ They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.”

⁶² Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child.⁶³ He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” ⁶⁴ Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. ⁶⁵ All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. ⁶⁶ Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.

Zechariah’s Song

⁶⁷ His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:

⁶⁸ “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
    because he has come to his people and redeemed them.
⁶⁹ He has raised up a horn^[a] of salvation for us
    in the house of his servant David
⁷⁰ (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),
⁷¹ salvation from our enemies
    and from the hand of all who hate us—
⁷² to show mercy to our ancestors
    and to remember his holy covenant,
⁷³     the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
⁷⁴ to rescue us from the hand of our enemies,
    and to enable us to serve him without fear
⁷⁵     in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

⁷⁶ And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
    for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
⁷⁷ to give his people the knowledge of salvation
    through the forgiveness of their sins,
⁷⁸ because of the tender mercy of our God,
    by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
⁷⁹ to shine on those living in darkness
    and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

⁸⁰ And the child grew and became strong in spirit^[b]; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel.

Footnotes:

1. Luke 1:69 Horn here symbolizes a strong king.
2. Luke 1:80 Or in the Spirit

All scriptural passages are taken from the NIV version of the bible.