December 29.
A Marvelous Message

Luke 1:13-14

But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.

Thou shall have joy and gladness. That’s enough right there to start shouting about. When this boy comes, a whole lot of people are going to rejoice. For he shall be great in the sight of God. Most of us when our children are born have to wonder how they’re going to be. We hope our son or daughter turns out to be all right. But Zacharias was promised by God that his boy was going to be great.

The Lord went on to promise that their son would not have wine or strong drinks. He didn’t have to worry about his son being an alcoholic or getting strung out on drugs. Then the angel said the boy would be filled with the Holy Ghost even from his mother’s womb. Now most of us have to wait until we accept Christ as our Savior to receive the Holy Ghost. But John was filled with the Holy Spirit before he got here. Many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. Your boy is going to be a soul winner. And he is not going to be a jack leg preacher. He’s going to make a difference in the community.

The angel goes on, “He shall go before him in the spirit and the power of Elijah.” John would represent or be like one of the greatest prophets that ever walked. What a joy it is to hear of a child having all these things going for him! And Zacharias could say, “He’s my boy.” Also he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children. He’s going to be a man that will unite families.

He will make ready a people preparing for the Lord. John is coming in on fire to win others for Christ. He will prepare the ones that are slothful and sluggish for the coming of the Lord. Zacharias should have been shouting! Instead, he was doubting.