God’s Directives
Elizabeth and Zacharias had communicated with each other even though Zacharias could not speak. Not a word left his mouth in the time before and during Elizabeth’s pregnancy. Even after John was born, Zacharias had not been able to speak, but this husband and wife knew the name which was to be given to their newborn son.
(NASB) Luke 1:59-64 “And it happened that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to call him Zacharias, after his father.
60 But his mother answered and said, ‘No indeed; but he shall be called John.’
61 And they said to her, ‘There is no one among our relatives who is called by that name.’
62 And they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him called.
63 And he asked for a tablet and wrote as follows, ‘His name is John.’ And they were all astonished.
64 And at once his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he began to speak in praise of God.”
Elizabeth and Zacharias did not question God’s directive – they did as God had said – they named their newborn son John.
Their obedience to God’s message is an excellent example for us. True humility yields to God and His message.
In what area of your life do you need change in order to be obedient to God and His message? There are many Scriptural passages which can be used; one of them is the following:
(NASB) Ephesians 4:20-24 “But you did not learn Christ in this way,
21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus,
22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,
23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”
We also have learned Christ from Scripture…when we listen, we do hear Christ because it is His words to us.
God’s words are specific directions for us to take.
Among many Scriptural passages an example can be read in Ephesians 4:17-32; 5:1-21; 5:22-33; 6:1-9.
Reading God’s word is good; doing what He says to do = living a godly life.