A Man for the Hour
Today’s Verse:
And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. ~Luke 1:17
A man for the hour describes a man who has a special purpose and function. He is a unique man, an influential man, and a one-of-a-kind man. John the Baptist was God’s man for the hour. The prophets Isaiah and Malachi foretold of John and the unique ministry God had for him. As God’s man for the hour, he was uniquely qualified by the Lord.
We see the manifest of the man.
He contained the spirit and power of Elijah. “Spirit” speaks of his attitude and heart. He was a courageous and rugged man. He was a man of faith and a resolute, can-do attitude. He was not one to run from challenges. “Power” speaks of his content and ability. Elijah is noted for great miracles that God did through him. When we combine spirit and power together, he manifested that he was a man of God for his generation. John’s ministry was similar to Elijah in that masses of people were touched by his spirit and power.
We see the might of the man.
Elijah was a mighty man of power. The greatest exhibit of power was in his prayer life. He was a righteous man whose praying was fervent and effectual. He had a powerful prayer life. His praying could stop the heavens from sending rain for three-and-a-half years. In one day, he prayed for fire to come down, and, after that, for much-needed rain to come down. His praying raised a boy who was declared dead. Elijah was identified as a man of power. John was privileged to be entrusted with God’s power for his ministry as well.
We see the moving of the man.
John’s ministry was to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just. He was a powerful mover of men. One of his top priorities was to restore fellowship between fathers and sons, and between the older and younger generations. He called on sinners to repent, for the kingdom of Heaven was at hand. He was a burning and shining light that taught men to live circumspectly.
We see the mobilizing of the man.
“…To make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” John was the forerunner to our Lord Jesus Christ. His preaching stirred all of Judaea and prepared its people for the coming of the Lord Jesus. He prepared the hearts of the Jews for Jesus. He sounded the trumpet through his preaching. He was an alarm clock that awakened the conscience of his nation. God’s man must have God’s power in his life to enable him to prepare the hearts of the people he is called to minister to.
God’s man for the hour is uniquely equipped and prepared for the special work that God has for him. Jesus described John as being a greater prophet than Elijah. His light burned for a short time, but it turned many hearts to the Lord and paved the way for the ministry of the Lord Jesus. You can be God’s servant for this hour. God can and will impart His Spirit and power in the life of a servant whom He has complete control of. Will you be His servant for the hour?
Have an equipped God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Daniel 7-9