Advent: Is God a Gracious Giver?

Glory Orb during Worship in S. Africa at ACTS Church

Luke 1:57-66 (NKJ) 
57 Now Elizabeth's full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. ⁵⁸When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her. ⁵⁹ So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. ⁶⁰His mother answered and said, "No; he shall be called John." ⁶¹But they said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name." ⁶²So they made signs to his father--what he would have him called. ⁶³And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, "His name is John." So they all marveled. ⁶⁴Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God. ⁶⁵Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. ⁶⁶And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, "What kind of child will this be?" And the hand of the Lord was with him.


Another meaning of the name John is Jehovah is a gracious giver.  I find it interesting that when Zacharias' tongue was loosed and he began to praise the Lord, that the people all around them began to fear.  The Greek word is Phobos and it means to strike terror, dread and awe.  There are times when we experience the reality and power of God in such a way, that it overwhelms us and shakes us to our very core.  He is real.  He is here. He is awesome in power.  In those moments we are undone.

Remember Peter's response to Jesus in Luke 5:8:
When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!"  

The boat they had been out fishing in all night, with no fish for their labor, went out again at Jesus' word.  They almost sank the boat for all the fish they brought in.  When I was a younger Christian, I used to wonder at Peter's response.  I thought that I would have been jumping for joy!  But life has taught me how great the Lord is in His mercy and compassion towards me.  There are times when I cannot stand in joy, but have to get on my knees and weep because of His greatness.

Recently, Jack and I had the privilege of seeing the fear and awe of God come upon a young woman.  It was during a healing service in Mississippi.  Jack and I were demonstrating a way to pray for people with bad backs, hips scoliosis, etc.  This woman joined us to learn.  She was a dedicated Christian who had always been active in many programs in her church, things like caring for the poor, women's ministry, Bible study, etc. As it happened, the woman we were praying for had suffered with severe lower back pain for over 20 years due to her hips being twisted, and one leg being several inches shorter than the other.  We had the woman sit in a chair and Jack held her feet. Our new friend was standing next to Jack observing with interest.  As we prayed and spoke to the woman's skeletal system to line up with God's Word, her short leg suddenly shot out and her hips straightened out. The woman we were praying for exclaimed the pain was gone.  I looked at our prayer partner and she was white as if she had just seen a ghost! Tears were gathering in her eyes, she put her hands to her face and told us, " This can't be!  Oh my God! What have you all done to me!"  She just was terrified as she understood for the first time that God was really here with us; He was in us and had given us the power that Jesus had told us He did!  She continued to be overwhelmed as we then had her do the praying for another person who also was in severe back pain. This time the person was healed as she was the one holding the feet and praying. 

What really spoke to me about that experience was the young woman's face.  I will never forget how terrified she was as she realized that her faith in God was now an experience with God.  Too often, we walk in a level of faith that has nothing to do with the power of God. It is a mental assent to His truth. When He demonstrates His presence that overwhelming fear, dread and awe we feel changes our lives.  He is real! He is here!  He is awesome in power! He is a gracious giver!

Pray with me:  Father, how we thank You for Your awesome gifts!  Help us to ponder Your reality in our lives during this Advent season.  Help us to understand the magnitude of what You do for us when we accept the reality of the birth of Jesus.  Help us to know Your presence in us and with us as we follow Him. Forgive us Lord, when we do not believe You. Father, we love You. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.