TUESDAY December 17, 2024
Heartfelt Discussions
Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, “What kind of child will this be?” And the hand of the Lord was with him.
Luke 1:65-66
Imagine, all the neighbors and relatives who lived around Zacharias and Elizabeth were in awe and wonder. They began to discuss among themselves the miraculous events that had happened to the elderly couple. Some people had witnessed when Zacharias became mute. What on earth had happened? It was thought he may have seen a vision in the temple. Then Elizabeth, in her old age, conceived and gave birth to a son.
After the child was born, he was given an unexpected name––John. No one else was named John in the family, so it struck them as kind of odd. When Zacharias had confirmed his son’s name, all of a sudden he began to speak again. He praised God and prophesied. The news of these unusual events that had taken place began to spread to other surrounding places––throughout all the hill country of Judea.
What did these extraordinary occurrences mean? Clearly, people were aware that God was doing something miraculous. They discussed what had happened, but could not fully grasp what God was doing, so they kept what was heard in their hearts. Concerning Elizabeth’s newborn son, the people remained unsettled in their minds and thought to themselves, “What kind of child will this be?” Only time would tell.
So much had happened over the months, they really did not know what to expect next. Those who study the Scriptures know the end from the beginning––Christ would be next to appear on the horizon. The Dayspring on High––Jesus––would visit His people.
Don’t you know that day dawns after night, showers displace drought, and spring and summer follow winter? Then, have hope! Hope forever, for God will not fail you!
~Charles H. Spurgeon~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
