John 1: 15 “John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, ‘This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’”
Dear God,
Your ways are not ours, because Your wisdom is absolute and infinite. Because You are God, You know our thoughts and intentions, and choose to use we mere mortals who love You; in service. It seems to be Your purpose, to bless us through service by assisting us to do so within our talents and sphere, to bring the salvation story, so a person has an opportunity to believe and accept You.
I give thanks for the talents that I have been gifted with, and any more that could be developed when I answer Your direction and allow new abilities to develop. Please open my heart and mind to understand and obey, when I am called to be used in the way and place of Your choosing.
The parents of John, Elizabeth and Zacharias when chosen by You and were advanced in years and were childless. They reportedly were good people, Luke 1: 6 “And they were both righteous before God, walking in the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” As with Mary the cousin of Elizabeth, an angel announced the coming pregnancy to Zacharias beforehand, as well as the mission You had for John; V15, 16 “For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.”
In Your wisdom, John was also raised up and inspired to prepare the way for the ministry of Jesus. It was the Spirit who had educated John as well as filled him with His gifts. John proclaimed who Jesus was and who he himself was, and his place in Your work, which was preparing hearts and minds to accept the saving work and message of Jesus. John reports he had been told to baptize with water, and how he would know Jesus when He came to be baptized, for there would be a manifestation of the Holy Spirit over Him, John 1: 33, 34 “I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God. “
As with the parents of John and Mary the mother of Jesus, You have a plan and purpose for all of us, even though it is most often not auspicious or generally known by numerous other people. As I read these passages of scripture I am humbled by Your great love for mankind and power to bring all that is prophesied to pass; on time. I also am impressed by the fact, that I can freely ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit. I can as did John seek You in quietness and whole hearted persistence, and be sure to find and be led by You.
After Jesus was baptized and the affirmation from You His Father, came from heaven, and rested upon Him, for all to see and hear; some wondered about Him. John again promoted Jesus, John 1: 35, 36 “Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, ‘Behold the Lamb of God.’”
I most importantly have the example of Jesus, who despite His busy life, made time to pray in the early hours of each morning.
Thank You for hearing my prayer of intention to seek You each day in the morning before the activity of the day begins; and please accept my worship today.
Amen