Silvia Alvarenga

  • 13
  • Feb
  • 2013

The 40-Day Challenge : day 18

  • 13
  • Feb
  • 2013


“So they made signs to his father—what he would have him called. And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, ‘His name is John.’ So they all marveled. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God. Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, ‘What kind of child will this be?’ And the hand of the Lord was with him.” (Luke 1:62-66)
It’s interesting to note that the people asked Zacharias what the child’s name would be; they did not believe Elizabeth’s idea and did not accept her decision.

But the couple was determined to obey the voice of God.

At the beginning of the chapter, it says that they were righteous and lived in a blameless manner before God. Once again, the couple’s righteousness and integrity have been confirmed.

“So they all marveled.”

 Why did they marvel?

Because of their firm faith and decision.

When we are indecisive, we pass on indecision 

— it’s inevitable.

But when we trust and are subject to the order and discipline of God, we become grateful; we praise Him instead of complaining.

When he wrote down the name of the child, he began to speak: “Immediately, his mouth was opened.”

Zacharias could have said, “I’ve ben unable to speak for so long… At last, God has opened my mouth…” But instead of doing that, he praised God!

During the time he was unable to speak, he examined himself and thought carefully about what had happened; when he wrote down John’s name, it was a sign that he had accepted what the angel told him.

Obedience is constant, unwavering.

The first thing he did was to open his mouth and praise God. Why?

Because he submitted to God’s discipline and correction; not only did he accept but he also obeyed God’s instructions.

When we obey God, we give Him the right to choose what is best for us.

To obey is to ignore our own will and submit to what is right, to what God is saying.

“… and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God.”

Now there was nothing impeding him to speak and, consequently, praise God.

When we reap the fruit of our obedience to God, we praise Him spontaneously.

Zacharias and Elizabeth were not forced to obey; it happened naturally.

“Then fear came on all who dwelt around them.”

When we obey, we learn our lesson and we allow God to guide our lives. As a result, people around us become fearful and amazed, because it’s not something ordinary.

Obedience has to do with fear.

When we decide to obey, we become radical, determined. We do everything to please God, even if this means displeasing others.

“… and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea.”

“What were people talking about?”

They were talking about Zacharias’ inability to speak and the couple’s determination to obey. Despite being unable to speak, Zacharias passed on the spirit of faith.

What about you?

What does you spirit say about your faith? Are you the kind of person who evangelises and saves others, or do lead others to destruction?

The fear of God brings answers.

No one could explain what was happening to that couple, but they could certainly see that they were different by the way they lived their lives.

“And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts…”

Our faith makes us different.

When we are determined and decisive, people around us admire us; they want to know our secret.

But pay attention: the secret is not to be confident about yourself only — even a proud person is confident about himself and refuses to change his mind. The secret is to live according to the Word of God and not according to your feelings; it is to be free from doubts and accusations because you care about pleasing God, and not people.

Herein lies the difference!


Leave a message

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

5 comentários

  1. Thank you for this message.

    See more
  2. IT is true that when we decide to obey, we become radical, determined. We do everything to please God, even if this means displeasing others. We don’t need to listen to their comments but to only God alone. I hope i could be like Zacharias, the moment he open his mouth, he only praises God. May i be like him so that the people around me will be bless.
    Thank you for this message mrs viviane. God bless you and your family:)

    See more
  3. Thank you Mrs Vivi for this challenge

    Obedience and submission to God’s voice truly makes Him to do whats best for us. He is the One who guides and directs our lives. I also desire the same for myself that when I open my mouth, I may praise Him and those around, they may see the glory of God in me and through me.#Doing challenge 18#.

    Kisses

    See more
  4. Its true when we are indecisive we pass on indecision.We have to be people who knows what we wants not what others want.Being confident is not enough but its all about living according to the word of God using our faith not our feelings.

    See more
  5. I agree Mrs Viviane, the only secret is to live by God’s words because when we think about it the attitude of being confident in yourself and a proud person is the same. So what separates me from someone else is my believe and how I live out that belief!

    Kisses

    See more