Author: Bill Hall

Luke 1:59 “So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias.”

   Though Jewish parents do ultimately decide the name of their children, this is not the only example of others doing the naming, or trying to. Consider Ruth 4:17, where the neighbor ladies give Obed his name. Also, naming children after an honored relative is common among some Jews even today. Indeed, just the experience of Zacharias in the temple would have made him the most honored of all the child’s family. Yet it was because of this very experience that the boy would be named John instead.

Heavenly Father, thank You for showing us Your way. Sometimes we want to do things that we think are really good. But You have something far better in mind for us. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Luke 1:58 “When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.”

   They held off on their opinions a bit till they saw that she brought the child to birth. They may have doubted before that. Childbearing was thought of very highly, so it was quite a blessing in the eyes of the community that Elizabeth was given her son.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your blessings. Help us to remember, though, that Your blessings come with Your purpose. We may think we know why things happen, but we often do not. You always work things out for the best. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Luke 1:57 “Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son.”

   John was born right on time, and just as the angel had said. I’m sure that pregnancy was unique for Elizabeth. She would have to know that was the only child she would ever carry. But, she also didn’t have to worry about a miscarriage. And, she knew the name, gender, and life calling of her child even before his conception. Mary shared in this uniqueness, though in her case she was young enough for more children, which she had.

Heavenly Father, sometimes You have things in mind for us that we could never dream of. Mary and Elizabeth knew You could do these things, but they would not have expected You to use them in this way. May we be available to You for all that You have planned for us. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Luke 1:56 “And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house.”

   Luke alone records the trip to Elizabeth’s. So, he is our only source for this timeline. It seems as if Mary left just before John was born. We don’t know for sure as Luke is somewhat ambiguous on this. She may have been there for it, but if she was, she left shortly thereafter.

Heavenly Father, make us a blessing to our family and friends. We love You, and we can love them with Your love, not just our love. We should be a comfort to them, as they are to us. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Luke 1:55 “As He spoke to our fathers,
To Abraham and to his seed forever.”

   It would be hard to overestimate the importance of the relationship between God and men like Abraham. His relationship with just one individual can have a profound effect on many others.

Heavenly Father, thank You for being gracious and willing to have a relationship with us. There is nothing so important to us as our relationship with You. You are worthy of all praise! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and and praise You, Amen.

Luke 1:54 “He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy,”

   God’s work among mankind is historical. In other words, there is a direction He is moving in. It is not simply a function of His eternal state. He has a specific goal He is after with this world.
   In remembrance of His mercy is expressed here because all that God does today has root in yesterday. He does what He does because He did what He did. Human circumstances don’t cause His actions, His actions cause His actions. He reacts on the basis of His work throughout the ages, not the minor detail of today.

Heavenly Father, thank you so much for how You interact with us. Our shortcomings will never make You quit. We will never change Your nature. Blessed be Your Name! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Luke 1:53 “He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty.”

   This theme is found throughout the New Testament. The poor and less fortunate are given a lot of consolation. And, this is not inconsistent with the teachings of Christ, for He clearly ministered to all of the economic classes.

Heavenly Father, we praise You for taking up the cause of the oppressed, poor, and lonely. You are full of mercy, and Your love is perfect. Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Luke 1:52 “He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly.”

   Though man questions His ways, God has the final say in all things. There is no mighty one whom God is not able to bring low. He has all of the power, and He will have His way.
   The Lord exalts the lowly because it brings glory to Him.

Heavenly Father, I praise You for Your mighty strength! How can we thank You enough for caring for those of low estate? You are loving, wise, and kind. Thank you so much! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Luke 1:51 “He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.”

  This reference to the arm of the Lord is authentic, and very Jewish. The Old Testament reveals it is by the Lord’s arm that He brought the Israelites out of Egypt. Though God’s power is unlimited, He helps us understand it in human terms. Men often measure their strength by their arms. So, God’s strength is illustrated by His arm.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your strength. It is a great comfort to us. It is good to know that the One Who has all of the strength is also the Holy and Just One. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Luke 1:50 “And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation.”

   God has mercy on those who are sensitive to sin. Those who fear the Lord are those who actually care about how God views their actions. Many may pretend to serve God, but assume that they are good because they serve. The true recipients of mercy are those who believe they need it most.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your mercy! May we desire it, for we need it so much! We will praise You for all that You have done. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.