DEVOTION ~ CHRISTENING FOR A PURPOSE

Theme: Christening for a Purpose

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.

God saw the essence of naming that's why, He made Adam named all creatures from human being, animals to plants. It is therefore important as Christians, we also ought to have a purpose for giving names to our children, business units, churches, amongst others. Whatever we birth in life, needs to be giving a name that will push it to the level we want to see it reach. When Elizabeth's delivery came, she begot a son and on the eighth day, he was to be given a name for him to be easily identified amongst other human beings.

Names just like today plays key value on the destiny of the child. The family and neighbors who have no knowledge of what the child will become, intended to name him after his after (who has been made mute by the angel Gabriel nine months ago). However, with the presence of the Holy Spirit in her (refer to verse 41-45), Elizabeth knows the future of her son. Dear beloved in the Lord, don't allow the carnally minded to make decisions for you. Always seek the purpose of God for all you intend to do. It is only the Mighty Hands of God that can bring you to an expected end.

If people do not believe your word, God will cause them to see their own folly. I'm sure Elizabeth was ridiculed again and told, you have no one with such a name as John in the family line. But the power of God gave her mockers insight to inquire from the father's child what he should be called. Behold, he also wrote his name as John. There are two things that happened there:

1. God has shown his power to Zacharias who doubted God's promises.

2. To reveal to Zacharias' family and neighbors present at the naming, the order of the family cannot limit what God intends to accomplish in those He has chosen.

Those who didn't see any good future for your children, education, career, finances, business, marriage, ministry (just name your desire) will see the miracle God will perform with you and marvel. They will acknowledge God is God. Having experienced what God can do, Zacharias mouth was opened and his tongue loosed. May the Lord open your doors of testimonies and loose you from whatever prevents His praise from coming out of your mouth. May your miracle be made know everywhere to declare the power of God and may His hand be upon you to continually give you victory.

Prayer: I am Yours o God, for You have called me Your own. Forgive me for not holding fast to this name. I pray Your divine intervention in my ministry, marriage, children's well-being, education, career, business, finances, family, health (name what you want God to intervene for you). I pray testimonies and Your praise shall be my portion daily. This I ask in Jesus' name. AMEN!