Bible Verse of the Day Saturday July 15th ,2023

Luke 1:62-63 Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.”

Zechariah sang praises of celebration when his son was born in foresight of his child's role in the history of Israel and the coming Messiah, that God has promised them. It was on the eighth day the baby boy was circumcised in the presence of family and fellow Hebrews that Zechariah announced that his name was John, who was to become John the Baptist. Earlier, an angel of God appeared in the Temple and told him he and his wife Elizabeth would have a son in answer to his prayers. They were both in advanced years of their life and had most likely given up the idea of having a child. The angel sent by God told Zacharias that his baby son would be a great joy to them and the entire world and would grow up and in Elijah's spirit and power, introduce the Messiah to the world (John 1:14-17). However, the elderly priest doubted the words of the angel God sent to him and was struck speechless and remained in that condition until the birth of their baby son. 

 

Instead of placing his faith and trust in God's word, the old priest wanted evidence of the angel's prophecy. In other words, Zacharias preferred to live by sight instead of faith, trusting God's Word. It could be that the old priest had forgotten how Abraham was promised a son in his and Sarah's advanced years. However, Sarah laughed at the idea of her and her husband having a child with her in her 90s and Abraham one year from his hundredth birthday. Abraham never doubted God's word and lived by faith instead of sight (Romans 4:19-21).

 

What lessons can we all learn from this beautiful Bible story? How important is it to trust the Word of God and not to be influenced by the traditions of humans? What a mighty, miracle-working God we have who hears our pleas and answers our prayers, but how important to remember that God often answers our prayers in manners we do not expect. What far-reaching consequences can occur when we doubt the Word of God, but what joy we experience when we trust and obey His calling, it is crucial that we live by faith and not by sight or signs and remember that without faith, it is impossible to please God.

 

God has clearly said in His Word: "But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back" (Hebrews 10:38).  May we be men and women of God who trust His Word, live by faith, and walk all the days of our life in spirit and truth.