Focus
Slow your breathing and become aware of the taking in and letting out of your breath. Focus on putting things aside so you will be open to what God is saying to you today.
Read
The Birth of John the Baptist
57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.
59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. 60 But his mother said, “No; he is to be called John.” 61 They said to her, “None of your relatives has this name.” 62 Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. 63 He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And all of them were amazed. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. 65 Fear came over all their neighbors, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. 66 All who heard them pondered them and said, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him.
Reflect
Zechariah, have you changed your mind? Have you moved from doubting to believing? Do you now trust in the word of God? Do you now trust God? Zechariah, your wife was pregnant, just like God said she would be. She gave birth to a son, just like God said she would. God made you silent, just like he said he would. Zechariah, do you trust now in God’s plan for you, your wife, and your son? Zechariah, do you have faith now? Zechariah, do you have trust? What will your witness be Zechariah? What will your witness now be Zechariah in the face of all the truth? Zechariah took the writing tablet, and he wrote, “His name is John.”
Pray
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen.
