Blessed Be!

“Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son… [His father Zechariah wrote,] ‘His name is John.’ And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God…

“Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,

“’Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
    for he has visited and redeemed his people
 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
    in the house of his servant David,
 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
that we should be saved from our enemies
    and from the hand of all who hate us;
to show the mercy promised to our fathers
    and to remember his holy covenant,
the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
    that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
might serve him without fear,
    in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
    for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
to give knowledge of salvation to his people
    in the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God,
    whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    to guide our feet into the way of peace.’” Luke 1:57,63-64,67-79

Zechariah was a godly priest who served faithfully and prayed honestly before God. When God’s angel appeared and pronounced the blessing of joy and gladness on all He was about to give and do, he was in awe. The Lord muted him over the season of his wife’s pregnancy, silent to wonder at these words and the goodness, mercy, and power of God. To have received God’s promise of a son in latter barren years, and to welcome it into fruition, was overwhelming enough. But to understand the significance of his son’s ministry welled up such immense praise he spilled over with inspired prophecy himself. This father of the last prophet to announce Christ could not help but bless the Lord as His Spirit filled and spoke through him. (Luke 1:5-20)

Any visit from the Lord, any personal word of conviction or blessing or specific understanding, any realization that He rules the world and individual lives, evokes humility and wonder. It takes earnest prayer to articulate desire, expectant ears to hear God’s voice, and adoring, grateful hearts to flow with praise. (Zephaniah 3:17; Romans 10:8)

Have we filled every moment with distraction, every silence with noise, every bit of spare energy with activity? Or do we make the effort to be still before the Lord and embrace His promises? How are we preparing room in our days and hearts for wondering, savoring, and praising our Lord? What has He said that has changed us, and how do we respond? When will we give God the glory due His name? (Psalm 29:2; 96:6-9)

“Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King!
Let every heart prepare Him room,
and heav’n and nature sing.” ~Isaac Watts (1719)

Oh Lord, blessed be Your name above all others! Prepare my heart to receive You daily and exalt You continually.