God wanted everyone to know that John was to be something special. He wanted everyone to pay close attention to the lad, for he was the forerunner of the Messiah, the Elijah who was to come (17). God introduced a prophet for the first time in four hundred years. No one is recorded as having the hand of the Lord on them since the prophet Malachi (discarding the Jewish wars books).
When Zechariah displayed his obedience by writing, “His name is John,” his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed (64). Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and praised God (67). Through these impossible-to-deny miracles, people asked, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.
God has plans for everyone. God has his hand on everyone from the moment of conception. We can choose to let the Lord keep his hands on us, or we can remove God’s hand with a rebellious spirit and sinful thoughts and actions. Yet, to be sure, from conception, God’s hand is ever present. When the Lord touches, do not refuse. Pray, “Lord, this day I pray. I will do what you say. Lay your hand on this clay. Form me to be whatever you say.”
