Adventਨਮੂਨਾ

God's plans begin at birth

‘What then is this child going to be?’ The ultimate wonder. Especially for a parent: will your child grow to be kind, well-liked, and successful? Will their upbringing prepare them for what’s ahead – good and bad? Two millennia ago, life looked quite different, but the question remained the same for the community witnessing the birth of Elizabeth and Zechariah’s son, John. Two events added to their wonder. Zechariah chose to break away from custom and name his son a unique name, as instructed by an angel of the Lord (Luke 1:13). Then God blessed this couple’s faithfulness by giving Zechariah his speech back and favouring their newborn - ‘For the Lord’s hand was with him’ (v66b NIV) because, unlike humans, God knew exactly what significant role He had planned for John’s life. John was born to prepare the way for the coming Messiah. ‘He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God’ (Luke 1:16 NIV).

We also can’t predict what life will throw at our loved ones or us, but the words the Lord spoke to those exiled from Jerusalem in Jeremiah 29:11 very much apply to us: ‘For I know the plans I have for you... plans to give you hope and a future’ (NIV). God’s plans are much bigger than the jobs we end up in, or the homes we build – although His hand is in all these things. God plans to provide hope and a future. John was born to bring the people of Israel back to God by revealing Jesus, who is the hope and future God has planned for everyone, and He wants our wonder to translate into prayer and seeking Him.

Written by BETH LACHMAN