Today in our continued study of Luke chapter 1, we will be turning our
focus back to Zacharias and Elisabeth as we join them for the birth of
their son, John. I like how the story proceeds in verse 57...
Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought
forth a son.
The phrase "Elizabeth's full time" captured my attention... What about
when OUR full time comes? I'm not referring to our full time in terms
of pregnancy, but our full time in terms of the Lord's design upon our
life. What will we have given birth to when all is said and done - a testimony
for the Lord, or shame to His name? One day, we will all be delivered
from this old world and it's trials, but not until our full time comes,
amen? That day has already been appointed for each of us. Are you willing
to wait on the Lord daily as a woman with child must wait until her appointed
time to deliver? What about when your burdens grow heavy and feel like
the weight of a child upon your body in its ninth month? At that point,
it's difficult just to walk! Will you stay in the race during those times,
or fall out? Ladies, our Christian life is much like the picture of Elisabeth
in her full time. We must labor in our walk with the Lord and with that
labor comes those "labor pains". However, with those pains also springs
forth new life! Are you willing to suffer the "labor pains" for the sake
of Christian growth in your life? Elisabeth brought forth a son, a miracle
in her old age! With the Lord, we can bring forth miracles in our lives
too. Are you willing to trust the Lord with your "full time"? Are you
willing to labor and suffer a little pain for His sake, for the sake of
birthing a miracle? I hope so!
Verse 58:
And her neighbors and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great
mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.
Mentioned here are the friends and family before whom Zacharias and Elisabeth
were a witness. We all have friends and family to influence for the Lord,
amen? By now, these people had adapted to the long-standing childless
state of this particular couple. Certainly these folk conferred over the
news of Elisabeth’s pregnancy and were now able to see for themselves
the miracle God had performed on their behalf. Because the Jews looked
on children as a gift from God, naturally they considered it a shame that
Elisabeth had gone without the Lord's blessing on her life for so long.
I wonder if any of these persons had contributed to the doubt that was
present in Zacharias heart in receiving an answer to prayer for a child??
Have you ever had close friends or family say things to you that bring
doubt upon the validity of God's Word as you choose to live by it?? The
fact that they were childless had to have been a topic of family discussion
from time to time, even the topic of discussion at social gatherings with
friends. Surely over the years Zacharias and Elisabeth had attended the
birth celebrations of other friends and family. What did they have to
talk about while all the others were sharing baby stories? Were they left
to themselves at those get-togethers because they were pitied, no one
knowing really what to say to them? Perhaps these well meaning family
and friends even acted like Job's friends at times and started guessing
at the reasons for their being childless. No doubt some resigned themselves
to the fact that Zacharias and Elisabeth were never going to have children
and simply gave up hope. When someone gives up hope it is evident upon
his or her countenance and in his or her conversation. Maybe that is where
the doubt began to filter on down through certain relationships to Zacharias
and Elisabeth as they discerned how others were viewing their circumstances.
Ladies, I have a question for you. What happens inside of you when those
you are close to start quizzing you over what God is doing in your life?
What about when they question your faith in God and you don't have an
answer for them? There are definitely times when we do not always know
precisely or even understand God’s plan. Are you set back in your faith
when those questions from others come, those comments with hidden meaning
that people make? Is it okay NOT to know as a child of God what your heavenly
Father is doing? Can you still rest in the Lord when you don't have an
answer, even for yourself?? What reply will you give to others when you
don't have one yourself? Will it be one of faith? Or doubt.... Think back
on your past conversations with friends and family that you have engaged
in regarding what God is doing in your life. With what impression did
you leave them? What impact did that impression have on them? Were they
encouraged by your faith in God, or did they get a glimpse of your wavering
faith in Him? Elisabeth's associates heard from her lips of the mercy
of the Lord in her life - and they rejoiced with her! What a way to influence
others for the Lord, amen? Never enderestimate the power of your testimony
in even the smallest matters!
Verse 59:
And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the
child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
Hmmm..... I sense some overbearing relatives and friends here, don’t you?
THEY came over to do something that the parents can take care of themselves
- circumcise the child. THEY even called him Zacharias after the name
of the father. Did anybody think to ask the parents if that was what the
baby's name was going to be?? Sounds like tradition was pretty heavy in
this circle of family and friends. Is it that way for you today, dear
lady? What do you do in the face of tradition when you know the Lord has
directed you away from it? Do you succumb to the family pressure or the
peer pressure, or do you yield to the Lord's will? The strength of your
faith in God will determine the path you take...
At this point we can look back at verse 13 of Luke 1 where Gabriel, the
angel of the Lord, spoke to Zacharias and told him he would have a son
and that he should name him John. We also know that Zacharias shared this
information with his wife, Elisabeth. It is clear that the Lord was directing
this couple to break away from family tradition, for in those days the
son was typically named after the father. Let's see how Elisabeth handles
the assumption of family that things will be as they always have been....
Verse 60:
And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.
Does it seem to you that it was hard for Elisabeth to state the baby’s
name, knowing how deep the tradition was that was being broken by naming
their child John? Or did her faith in God make it an easy task to carry
out? It appears to me that Elisabeth defended God's Word admirably and
confidently, but not with any disrespect toward family. How would your
faith handle the job of breaking family traditions??
Verses 61 & 62:
And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by
this name. And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
I wonder if these dear ones thought Elisabeth was running the house because
tradition was being broken? Have you ever had your in-laws think that
way about you, ladies? :-) I have! It is not pleasant, nor easy, but faith
in God allows the comments that others make to have no disturbing affect
upon you. Elisabeth simply stated the facts because God had rendered her
husband speechless for his unbelief and doubt nine months ago. After receiving
such a shocking announcement from Elisabeth, notice that the group immediately
sought Zacharias attention with sign language and asked him how HE would
have the baby called. I can picture the scene... Tight lipped they turn
away, having nothing further to say to Elisabeth as they piously walk
over to Zacharias with the attitude of, "Well, we'll just see about this!
Our Zacharias would never break such family tradition!"
Yes, it gets touchy when family is so closely involved with the raising
of our children. Often times it is assumed that things will be done as
they always have been by others before us. Though you may or may not have
children today, perhaps your family is getting closely involved in some
decisions you have made in obedience to the Lord that they do not agree
with or understand because those decisions have caused you to place the
Lord's will above family customs. Ladies, as Christians, we cannot and
should not be intimidated or crippled by tradition and doctrines of men.
The Bible says we need to stand firm on the Lord and obey Him first and
foremost! We need to hold to the course GOD determines for us high above
the counsel of friends or relatives, even church family! Remember that
protection Mary enjoyed which we saw in our study yesterday? God's protection
and guidance will be with you always - even when following the Lord may
cause you to be the reason that family tradition is broken! God's protection
and guidance will be with you even when doing right causes others to arrogantly
question your actions. It will fill you with peace and courage in light
of the dismayed faces of loved ones, empowering you to carry out God's
instructions boldly...
Verse 63:
And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John.
And they marvelled all.
Above we see how firmly Zacharias handles this family pressure in the
face of breaking tradition, of doing something he knew in his heart many
would question. Zacharias had his answer ready before they even came to
him! Amen, Zacharias! You did it! You stood up for God! You chose His
way! You doubted before, but in faith you obeyed His Word in the face
of opposition! I like how Zacharias stated the baby's name.... He said,
"His name IS John." In other words, this matter will be handled as God
has determined! Because God had told this couple to name their baby John
back at the commencement of this miracle, Zacharias and Elisabeth had
always referred to him as such. This was not a topic open for discussion
- it was a done deal! Signed, sealed and delivered by God months ago!
No doubt Zacharias had come to terms with his faith in God over the course
of the year. It is clear that everyone in attendance fully understood
as Zacharias penned John's name that this old priest meant what he said,
for the Bible says they marveled at it! Not one of them could believe
he would break tradition. (There were surprises for everyone in this story!)
These folk could not comprehend what would cause him to do such a thing.
But this priest knew, for the Lord had worked mightily in his life!
Ladies, the same thing will happen to you to when the time comes and the
Lord directs your path in a direction that family or friends will not
understand. Don't be startled or set-back when they marvel over your decisions
to serve the Lord wholeheartedly! With faith in God and His Word, be prepared
to handle the pressure or opposition that may come. When this group of
loved ones witnessed Zacharias firm resolution rooted in God's instructions,
they knew that there was no sense in pursuing the discussion, he could
not be persuaded otherwise. Has your faith in God had the power to silence
others? When you stand on the scriptures it will keep you from wavering
to and fro between opinions. Though others may be silenced by your faith
in the Lord, your lips are free to praise Him…
Verse 64:
And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake,
and praised God.
Unbelief stopped up Zacharias mouth and belief opened it again - that
makes me want to shout!! How about you? If you lost your speech for a
year, what would be your first words when you were finally able to talk
again? God had brought an end to his involuntary period of silence and
Zacharias was now free to speak. His first words were praise to God! He
was finally free to shout the good things of God that his doubt and unbelief
had prevented for so long! Those who truly believe God can't help but
speak of their belief in Him, amen? Better to be without speech than not
use it in praising the Lord! Old Zacharias had just graduated from the
classroom of learning to trust God's Word. Now he was able to testify
on the Lord's behalf. Yes, his faith in God was rewarded when he actively
obeyed the Lord's leading in his life - even in the little things like
the naming of his son, the miracle plan of the Lord! Certainly this new
father had many godly lessons to share with his little boy...
Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)
But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to
God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently
seek him.
How about you, dear lady? Have you been faithful to enter the presence
of the Lord, yet found yourself leaving His company not really believing
what God says in His Word? Zacharias, upon realizing this truth about
himself, took a new direction in life. He repented of his unbelief and
acted upon the Word of God and was set free! Perhaps you have been wondering
how to get yourself out of the trap of not trusting the Lord, causing
your assurance to wane. The way to renew your faith is to go back to that
very place where you stopped believing God and act upon His Word. Live
by it as Zacharias did, get your direction from the Bible and then simply
obey it! You will then be set free to praise and glorify the Lord once
again. Those who would find God must seek Him with ALL their heart! Ladies,
God calls us to believe His Word and rest in it. Those who do so experience
His joy, His power, His direction and protection, as well as His peace
in knowing that they are pleasing God with their faith. Faith will lighten
your load and loosen your lips - if you'll let it!
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2003
