Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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His promises are true
Luke. 1. 57-64
 “Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God” (64)
The Bible is the revelation of God.  It reveals God’s nature, his character, works, purpose and his will.   Every passage reveals something about God.  In today’s portion the hand of God is everywhere and he reveals himself in three ways. 
The story of the birth of John the Baptist is one of many examples where God reveals that his promises are true.  The Lord fulfills his promise to Zachariah through the angel in Luke 1:13, “Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son and you will give him the name John and you will have joy and gladness and many will rejoice at his birth,” and that is exactly what happened.  God kept his promise to Zachariah and this is important because God promises salvation to those who call upon Him.  He promises to receive whoever comes to Him.  He promises to forgive our sins when we confess them.  He promises strength to the weak and riches to the poor.  He promises to answer our prayers and bless those who ask.  Our God is a true God and he keeps his promises.
 The next thing we learn about God is that he is gracious.  God pleasures in being gracious and giving sinners what they don’t deserve. In verse 63, surprised at Elizabeth’s assertion that the child will be named John, those gathered looked to Zacharias who wrote on a tablet, “His name is John.”  Zacharias who was a beloved priest who had spent many years serving God under the Old Testament law, questioned the angel in verse 18, and was subsequently silenced.  But when it came time to name the child, God’s grace and purpose was revealed.  They named him John which means, “God is gracious.”
 Lastly, God reveals his power and his power is wonderful.  The moment that Zachariah shows his obedience to God, God shows how mighty and powerful he is by loosening Zachariah’s tongue. verse 64, “And at once his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed and he began to speak in praise of God.”  God has the power to create and destroy.  He has the power for miracles; a miraculous conception, birth, divinely given name, and the powerful healing of a mute man. 
 Prayer:  Dear Lord, you are a true, gracious, and powerful God.  Thank you for showing us your mercy and keeping your promises to us.  We ask that you continue to reveal your purpose in us.  We ask all these things in Your Most Holy and Precious Name.  Amen. 

Thought for the day: “For the Lord’s hand was with him.”

Arlene Mathew


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