NO WORD FROM GOD WILL EVER FAIL - PART 5

MONDAY 09 SEPTEMBER 2024

Reference: Luke 1:36-37 New International Version (NIV)

"Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail."

The mystery embedded in the prophetic utterance was: "Elizabeth is going to have a child in her old age; although a barren woman."

The Bible says, "But the angel reassured him, "Don't fear, Zachariah. Your prayer has been heard. Elizabeth, your wife, will bear a son by you. You are to name him John. You're going to leap like a gazelle for joy, and not only you - many will delight in his birth. He'll achieve great stature with God" (Luke 1:13-15).

"This son of yours will be a great man in God's sight. He will not drink alcohol in any form; instead of alcoholic spirits, he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from the time he is in his mother's womb. Here is his mission: he will turn many of the children of Israel around to follow the path to the Lord their God. Do you remember the prophecy about someone to come in the spirit and power of the prophet Elijah; someone who will turn the hearts of the parents back to their children; someone who will turn the hearts of the disobedient to the mind-set of the just and good? Your son is the one who will fulfill this prophecy: he will be the Lord's forerunner, the one who will prepare the people and make them ready for God" (Luke 1:16-17).

Did the words of angel Gabriel come to pass? Yes, they fully came to pass at the appointed time - by the powerful influence of the Holy Spirit, regardless of her old age. Nothing could render them non-effective because no word from God will ever fail.

The Bible says, "When the time was right, Elizabeth gave birth to a son. Indeed, God acted on His word to remedy her unfortunate condition, such that a childless couple conceived. Hence, the news about the Lord's special kindness to her spread through her extended family and the community. Everyone shared her joy, for after all these years of infertility, she had a son! As was customary, eight days after the baby's birth the time came for his circumcision and naming. Everyone assumed he would be named Zacharias, like his father.

Elizabeth (disagreeing): No. We will name him John.

Her Relatives (protesting): That name is found nowhere in your family.

They turned to Zacharias and asked him what he wanted the baby's name to be. He motioned for a tablet, and he wrote, "His name is John." Everyone was shocked by this breach of family custom. They were even more surprised when, at that moment, Zacharias was able to talk again, and he shouted out praises to God. A sense of reverence spread through the whole community. In fact, this story was spread throughout the hilly countryside of Judea. People were certain that God's hand was on this child, and they wondered what sort of person John would turn out to be when he became a man" (Luke 1:57-66).

When Zachariah's voice was restored to him, he sang a prophetic blessing from the fullness of the Spirit, which was symbolic of the ultimate salvation and redemptive message of the Lord that would soon begin or be ushered into the world of mankind. Stay tuned for part 6. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Jeremiah 1:12; Psalm 46:11; Isaiah 55:10-11; Hebrews 4:12; Matthew 24:35.

Guided Prayer:

Triune Godhead, I thank you for your big-shaped grace, limitless generosity and boundless kindness which follow me as a result of the unfailing character of your Word. Your faithfulness clearly points to the grand characteristic features of your perfection and divine nature at work in me. Thank you because all you make happen in my life is good successes on account of the wonderful gift of Christ's atoning sacrifice. I forever acknowledge that your Word is trustworthy, reliable and efficacious in all varied application and significance of its purpose and meaning, through the powerful influence of the Holy Spirit - actualised in Jesus' Name, Amen.