One of the coolest things I’ve ever read is found in Luke 1:39-45.  It’s the story of Mary going to visit Elizabeth.  After Mary learns she is going to be the mother of Jesus, the angel tells her that Elizabeth, who was old and barren, is in fact pregnant because of God’s supernatural power.  Upon hearing this Mary travels to see Elizabeth.

Now this is where the story gets interesting.  As Mary enters Elizabeth’s home, not only do we have the mother of Christ and the mother of John the Baptist in the same room together, we also have the unborn Christ and the unborn John the Baptist in the same room together.  What happens next is amazing:

When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.  In a loud voice she exclaimed... “As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.”

Even in the womb John was a witness to the fact that Jesus was the Messiah.  The presence of the unborn Christ caused the unborn John to leap in his mother’s womb.  To put it rather simply, there was a sound and a movement.

The word leap is the Greek word skirtao meaning “to skip or jump.”  In the time of Christ the word leap described someone arising from sleep, stretching and rising up.  It was also used to describe the overwhelming sense of joy one felt when an enemy was defeated.  Thus, the word leap is prophetic and points forward to Christ’s resurrection, His victory over death and His power to resurrect the dead.  For us, it speaks not only of our future resurrection, but of our salvation and being raised to spiritual life and given victory over the old sinful nature.

Furthermore, leap is taken from the Hebrew word poosh which also speaks of salvation, as can be seen in Malachi 4:2:

This verse tells us the freedom we receive at salvation is like that of a calf destined for slaughter.  At the last minute the decision to kill the animal is reversed and the calf is set free.  Once released, the calf throws off the reins and begins to “leap for joy”.

In addition, the Scripture is filled with stories of a sound followed by a movement.  In John 11:43 the sound of Jesus’ voice causes the movement of Lazarus dead body to rise up and come forth.  On the third day of creation, the sound of God’s voice caused the movement of land to rise up from the water.  Not only is the third day symbolic of resurrection, for Christ arose on the third day, but coming up out of the water is also a picture of resurrection: this is clearly seen in baptism (Romans 6:1-14). 

Therefore, what we have seen repeatedly in each instance is this:

The “Sound” of God’s Voice Causes “Movement”!

The sound of God’s voice resurrects the things in each of us that sin has destroyed! And as a natural by-product of our God inspired movement, we become a witness to Christ in the same manner as John.

The holy “Sound” that Causes “Movement” in us makes us a witness!

Therefore, when we speak, let us speak the very words of Christ Himself, so those who hear the sound of our voice will be moved to receive Christ Jesus.  When we sing, let us sing the very words of Christ so those who hear them will experience His resurrection power.  In everything we do, may the voice of God move us to act according to His will that we might be a mighty witness for Christ.

My prayer for each of you is that you would hear the sound of God’s voice propel you, causing a great movement in your soul and making you “leap for joy”.  May our Lord and Savior resurrect every dream, every hope and every place in your heart that has been destroyed by the enemy.  Let the sound of His voice replace the sound of your voice with a new song and a holy message of hope for this world.  I also pray that as you hear the sound of His voice, you would have a clear vision for doing His will, so that all of your movement will be a great witness for Christ.  He is holy and worthy of all of our praise.

You are the one God loves!

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