Today’s Reading: Luke 1:39-45
In August of 1996, after three miscarriages, I received a promise from the Lord that I would have a baby in one year. Time passed between the promise and the pregnancy. I had the choice to believe God’s promise or to spend time worrying if God’s promise would come true.
I wonder what it was like for Elizabeth to be past childbearing years when she received her promise. How much time passed between the message from the angel and her first signs of pregnancy? I wonder if she questioned God’s promise, or if she had a staying peace for what her future held.
During his time of silence, Zechariah had plenty of time to consider what the angel had said. He had time to look over the Scriptures and remind himself of all God had promised to the people of Israel. He could take his new piece of the puzzle and fit it into the big picture.
Luke 1:24 says that Elizabeth went into seclusion for five months after she became pregnant. There is no evidence that this was an Old Testament custom or command so many theologians believe that Elizabeth took time to have a spiritual retreat of sorts to honor God for answering her prayer.
Mary received a similar promise from an angel — the promise that she would have a baby even though she was a virgin.
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth, your relative, is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.”
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. – Luke 1:35-38
A few days after the angel appeared to Mary, she traveled to visit Elizabeth. At the sound of Mary’s voice, the child within Elizabeth leaped and Mary was filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:39-45).
Only a few days had passed since the angel had come to Mary. Had she told anyone yet of what the angel had spoken? Did her family know? Did Joseph know? Now here she is, probably still trying to soak it all in, greeted by Elizabeth, who seems to already know the big news. This greeting was most likely more than Mary had even wished for. Mary was not going to be scolded or questioned or accused. Instead, Elizabeth greeted her with a blessing for Mary and for her baby.
“You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said” (Luke 1:45). Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke what I believe Mary needed to hear – what God Himself was saying to her through Elizabeth.
So here’s a question for you – Do you believe? Is your faith strong enough to believe that God is going to do what He says He will do? Are you willing to trust Him while you wait?
Lord, will you give us the faith to trust you between the problem and the promise? In the same way, give us the strength to wait patiently for you between the promise and the fulfillment of the promise. Help us to see that you are working all things out in your perfect timing for your perfect plan. Amen.