ESOCS Devotional 25 August 2024 – When the Lord Visits
MEMORY VERSE: “And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.” Luke 1:58 KJV
TEXT: LUKE 1:57-66
57 Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. 58 When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.
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. 60 His mother answered and said, “No; he shall be called John.”
61 But they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” 62 So they made signs to his father—what he would have him called.
63 And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” So they all marveled. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God. 65 Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. 66 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.
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It is archived in the scripture and real-life experiences that the world seems to mock and downplay anyone who is perceived not to have certain advantages. This is even worst in our world of today, when and where it has to do with the gift of children, especially. Friends, family, relatives, even colleagues, treat such persons with badly.
This was the case of Elizabeth and her Husband, Zechariah who “…were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” The Bible recorded that they had no child even as they were already aged. This ordinarily would connote there were no chances of them bearing a child. One could imagine how they were being called all sorts of names among their kindred. But, because God wanted to glorify His name through them, a time came when He showed forth in their lives and behold came John the Baptist through Elizabeth and Zechariah!
Our memory verse tells the experience, as all their acquaintances, even those who may have mocked them for being childless, gathered not just to celebrate with them but joined in the publicity of the goodness and mercy of God. A similar instance was recorded for Hannah. Job had his share of the Lord’s visitation. This experience is further expressed by the Psalmist thus: “When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them” – Ps. 126:1-2.
The Holy Spirit is using today’s devotional to remind someone who is waiting upon the Lord that the time of visitation is right at hand. Keep your faith alive!
- It does not matter what your present situation looks like, invite the Lord into your situation and experience Peace.
- Father Lord, my life is in dire need of your presence. Come in and change my situation to your own glory, in Jesus name, Amen.
Further Reading: Deuteronomy 13:1-5; Ezekiel 43:1-9; Acts 11:1-18
ESOCS Devotional 25 August 2024
