The Name We Proclaim is Everything
The importance of a name. The Name we proclaim will determines the direction of our lives. Zechariah was given a chance to show his faith or lack of it, by simply proclaiming a name. We are given this same option.
Jesus say’s in Luke 16:10:
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”
The power of believing God even in the smallest of details means that we are showing others our utter and complete belief. In this case, the “small” detail boiled down to a name. The name of a child who would then proclaim the name of the Lord Almighty! The is the name under which every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Now, the most important name you will ever say is Jesus Christ is Lord. You will either proclaim it with joy in His heavenly presence because you proclaimed it here on Earth or you will proclaim it out of fear, knowing that you did not carry his name as the biggest and smallest detail in your life. May we never have to dread this day. May we willing wear his name and share proudly with others that we are followers of Christ and they should be too!
As Zechariah wrote out his son’s on his tablet, in the silent but loudest voice he had, he proclaimed his faith in the Lord, the Name above all names!
Luke 1:57-58
When we read this, Lord, we want to jump up and down for your mercy and what you did for Elizabeth too!
Oh , the mercy you had on Elizabeth! In her old age, after her decades of wanting a child and never being able to conceive, you miraculously opened her womb and gave her a son.
And not just any son, but one that would announce the coming Messiah!
What mercy and love you poured out over her!!
What a blessing to be able to celebrate this gift with her friends and relatives!
Let us be a people that rejoice along with our brothers and sisters who are receiving the gift of your mercy right now too!
Maybe it’s rejoicing in a marriage that is stronger in you now after the devil tried to rip it to shreds.
Maybe it’s rejoicing in someone coming to know your forgiveness and the gift of grace.
Maybe it’s one coming seeking forgiveness and receiving your mercy as she has confessed.
Maybe it’s rejoicing alongside someone whose decades long prayer has been answered.
Let us be a people who are faithful, loving, and rejoice along with those who are rejoicing in all you have done for them!
In the One who is faithful to all he created – Amen!
Luke 1: 59 – 61
Lord, when you call us to stand strong and courageous, we often think of doing this against those who are opposed to you.
We don’t often think about standing strong and courageous when dealing with those who love you too.
But this is exactly what you called Elizabeth to do at the very moment when the miracle baby you had given her was about to be named.
No!
She stood up and with the voice you gave her proclaimed the name that you had determined this precious baby to be called.
No!
They would not name him after his father even though that was the tradition.
No!
It didn’t matter that they did not understand the why behind it.
She was standing tall and courageous up to the family that loved her but didn’t fully understand the prophesy and miracle that you had given to her husband.
Lord, we pray that we will be as bold, firm, and lovely with the ones that love us. May we not be swayed by their well-intentioned actions but hold on to the truth you have called us to live.
In the One who calls us to stand for truth no matter what anyone else thinks – Amen!
Luke 1:62-64
Lord, prepare our hearts to be challenged and questioned by others who don’t understand what you have called us to do.
Help us to stand strong.
We praise you for Elizabeth and Zechariah’s faith in what you told them to call their son.
They could have just flippantly dismissed what you said to do because it didn’t fit their traditions. You don’t call us to be a people of tradition but a people of faith.
Obedience brings about blessings sometimes immediately and sometimes eternally. We praise you for giving him his speech back again so that he could go on to tell his son about your amazing ways.
Let us not hold our tongues when they work so well. Let them sing your praises and glorify you through our faith!
In the One who gives us a reason to sing your praises – Amen!
Luke 1:65 – 66
When we humble ourselves to you and obey what you are calling us to do, Lord, you not only keep us in awe but you also keep those around us in awe too!
How awesome it was for everyone in the hill country of Judea to be wondering what plans God had in store for John!
He would be the one pointing the way to the Messiah!
They had know clue how important his role would be, but they understood that God was doing something big.
Lord, we know you are doing amazing things right now in our lives too. And just like John, you want us to point all those around us to the One, the only One, who can change their lives for the better.
May we not shrink back from the responsibility you have given us or pass it off to someone else. May we pray over those whom you have placed in our lives and share the good news with them too!
In the One who put us in this time and place for a reason – Amen!
Pray Luke from the beginning…
I am a mother of 5 crazy, homeschooling children ages 10 & under, wife to an amazing man, and daughter of the King of the Universe!I enjoy reading, making my kids laugh, cooking, all things natural, learning to play guitar and dusting off my piano skills.One day I hope to run again, but until then I’m learning patience.
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