“Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had displayed His great mercy toward her; and they were rejoicing with her. And it happened that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to call him Zechariah, after his father. And yet his mother responded and said, “No indeed; but he shall be called John.” And they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” And they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him called. And he asked for a tablet and wrote as follows, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed.” (Luke 1:57—63 NASB)
This is your supposedly “Monday Short” meditation! There used to be a show entitled, way back in the days, “Father Knows Best.” In these days and times, when men have been outnumbered in many congregations, by the godly matriarchs in the house, be it mothers or grandmothers, they become the “go to person” for spiritual advice. Many are like John’s mother in the text above. To be true to the text, in context, know that Zechariah went to “church.” He performed his priestly duties, but his faith was lagging in comparison with Elizabeth’s faith. However, after Elizabeth had said her son would be named John, a named that means “God is gracious,” they consulted with his father who was unable to speak, mute, because of his faith issue regarding the announcement of the birth of John the Baptist by a specific messenger, an angel of the Lord. I say “faith issue” because doubt came because of Elizabeth being advanced in years. As you read, John wrote on a tablet, prior to his voice being restored, “His name is John.” In our times it would have perhaps read, “What she said.”
My takeaways: (1) The patriarchs and future patriarchs need to be in the church during these days and times. (2) Patriarchs and future patriarchs need to avoid faith issues and walk by faith and not by sight. (3)Patriarchs and future patriarchs need to recognize that nothing is impossible with God. (4) Patriarchs and future patriarchs need to hear and believe the specific messages sent by God at the place of worship. There is a reason for going to church. (5) Patriarchs and future patriarchs need to assume their leadership role, sanctifying their wives and teaching their children the words that the Lord speaks, and do so, as the Bible says: “…diligently…talk to them when you sit down and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.” Yes, that’s Bible my friend. (6) Godly matriarchs should be commended for their faith and for realizing when their words need to be heard. You see, as alluded to above, they show up more than men to hear what saith the Lord, show up to hear the specific messages sent by God as a specific time, by a specific messenger, for a specific purpose. (7) When a godly matriarch says something, listen to what she has to say. (This is definitely true for homes where the fathers are absent or a non-attendee at the church.)
Perhaps you have more takeaways! That’s good! That means you were really meditating this morning! If you know a patriarch who is not adhering to their role in the home, share this Mark Writes issue with him in a loving way. That will be good too! Enjoy your day! Tomorrow is a holiday, but I will be in touch! Smile! Be blessed!
“Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.” (Proverbs 10:31-10-12) “When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.” (Proverbs 31:26)
Mark L. King