Read: Luke 1:57-66
"What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him."
Luke 1:66
Even as a young man, the British statesman and leader, Winston Churchhill, believed he was destined for greatness. Selected to lead Britain at a critical time, the bombastic and determined War World 2 prime minister wrote in his war memoir, “I felt as if I were walking with destiny, and that all my past life had been but a preparation for this hour and this trial.” Indeed, Churchill was the right man to lead Great Britain against the Nazi dictator, Adolf Hitler. His unfathomable will and gifted speech inspired the country to endure in difficult times.
Every human life has meaning and purpose. Additionally, every human life is equally valuable in the eyes of God. Few, however, are selected to tasks that shape world history. Churchill is one modern example; however, Scripture is replete with examples of individuals used by God to shape and fulfill redemptive history. John the Baptist was one of those people. In Luke 1:66, we read that “the hand of the Lord was with him.”
John’s family rejoiced at his birth. Babies were seen as (and they are) a blessing from the Lord. Elizabeth and Zechariah knew that John was ordained by God to do something great, but his family had not yet figured that out.
As is commanded by God, Elizabeth and Zechariah had John circumcised 8 days after his birth (Leviticus 12:3). Traditionally, a boy wasn’t given a name until after circumcision. Furthermore, in the Jewish culture, names had far more significance than a mere personal label. Zechariah was still deaf and mute from his encounter with Gabriel (Luke 1:18-23), but his family was having a robust discussion about his son’s name. Clearly, Elizabeth and Zechariah had not discussed what John’s name would be, but led by the Spirit, Elizabeth chose the same name the angel had given Zechariah. It was clear to all that God was going to do something special in and through John’s life.
Given the biblical testimony of God’s providence and work, all Christians can safely say the Lord’s hand is with us. Our lives will look far more different than John’s, but the Lord is still guiding and directing our lives. He calls us, sanctifies us, leads us, and commissions us to accomplish His will for our lives. And just like with John, He has called us to this purpose since before we were even born. And the greatest work God is doing in and through you and molding and shaping you into the image of His Son. He is making you more holy. Thus, we can trust that whatever God is doing in our lives, He is directing us toward Himself and toward holiness.
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Prayer: Father, give me the grace needed to trust that you will complete the good work you have started in me.