“Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.” Luke 1:6-7 NIV
It had been 400 years since God’s people had heard a word from God. As in the days just before Samuel’s ministry, “word from the Lord was rare in those days, visions were infrequent” (1 Samuel 3:1). All this time, a faithful remnant among God’s people were praying that He would fulfil His longstanding promise of sending salvation through His Messiah. Suddenly, without advance notice, God broke into history and announced what He was about to do in the birth of John the Baptist. Although Luke does not explain the meaning of any of the Hebrew names for his Gentile readers, one cannot help but think that there is a divine significance to each of them. John means “God has been gracious” and that was certainly fitting. The name Zechariah means “God remembers” and it shows us that no matter how long it may seem to us, God has not forgotten His covenant promises. The meaning of the name Elizabeth is not as certain, but it probably means, “My God is an oath” pointing to God’s absolute faithfulness to His sworn promises. Together, these three names, John, Zechariah, and Elizabeth, point us to God’s sovereign grace toward His chosen people. In the matter of salvation, God sovereignly and faithfully takes the initiative in His time in accordance with His covenant of grace. Let us be reminded this Advent that God is sovereign and forever faithful.
PRAYER THOUGHT
Lord, we submit to Your sovereignty and rejoice in Your faithfulness.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord, even though we often struggle in submitting to Your sovereignty, we give joyful thanks for Your faithfulness in keeping Your covenant of grace. AMEN
INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)
Isaiah 25:6-9
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