Believing in rainbows — not my style

Albert Bogle December 13, 2020 0 1

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Luke 1: 57-66 (NIVUK)

57 When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.

59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, 60 but his mother spoke up and said, ‘No! He is to be called John.’

61 They said to her, ‘There is no one among your relatives who has that name.’

62 Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63 He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, ‘His name is John.’ 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. 65 All the neighbours were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. 66 Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, ‘What then is this child going to be?’ For the Lord’s hand was with him.

The effect of an angel announcing John the Baptist birth triggers in his father Zachariah a terrible shock brought about by disbelief and he ends up speechless for most of his wife’s pregnancy. When Elizabeth his wife is faced with naming the child she gives the name John which surprises everyone. They turn to Zachariah to find out if he agrees. He writes on a tablet the name John and in doing so finds his speech returning and he ends up praising God. 

It’s an interesting story linking physical consequences to lack of faith and eventual obedience. Perhaps there are times when we too find ourselves silent because we lack the faith to believe and accept something even when it is an amazing promise from God. What would happen if you were prepared to put your faith on the line?

Advent Action:

What might happen if we kept a journal and started to write down the promises of God you have been given? What promises are you being challenged to write down and own in order that your tongue also might be released to praise God?

PRAYER:

Lord,
You know the things
I stubbornly hold on to
The disbelief that says 
“It will never happen”
The frustrations that stop me 
Looking forward with expectancy
Believing in rainbows is not my style

For once Lord, 
Give me the courage 
To write down the names of people and places and actions
To which you are calling me to invest
Please remind me daily of the power of rainbow colours. Amen.

- We stream a Sunday Live worship service of music, prayer, discussion and reflection every week at 6:30pm where we explore our monthly and weekly theme material. -