Today’s Reading: Luke 1:39-45; Psalm 126
Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.
They weep as they go to plant their seed,
but they sing as they return with the harvest. – Psalm 126:5-6
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.
THERE IS A BLESSING IN BELIEVING THAT GOD WILL DO WHAT HE SAYS HE WILL DO.
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 would have been able to take this new piece of the puzzle and fit it into the big picture.
The angel had said Zechariah’s son would prepare the way for the coming of the Lord, and many people would turn to the Lord because of John. Zechariah had spent his whole life preparing for the priesthood, studying the prophecies about the coming Messiah, and now he would have the privilege of knowing the role his son would play in the fulfillment of the prophecies.
“HOW CAN I BE SURE THIS WILL HAPPEN?”
Zechariah struggled to find confidence in the promise he had just received from the angel and there was a consequence to his lack of faith.
Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.” – Luke 1:19-20
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. God had seen the desire of her heart to be a mother, and so she clung to His promise as she experienced the magnificent miracle of pregnancy.
Mary received a similar promise from an angel — the promise that she would have a baby even though she was a virgin. Mary asked a question very similar to Zechariah’s. Never in history had a woman become pregnant while maintaining her virginity, and so she spoke the question that was on her heart.
“BUT HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN?”
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
IF GOD’S WORD WILL NEVER FAIL, THEN MAY HIS WORD BE FULFILLED IN ME.
That was the desire of Mary’s heart, and it is the desire of my heart as well. I long to respond to God’s promises just like Mary did — with a heart of submission and willingness to be used by God however He desires. Even when people around me say it’s not possible, even when those I love argue the authenticity of God’s calling, I will forever surrender to God’s plan for my life.
A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. – Luke 1:39-41
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? Here she is between the promise and the physical evidence of the pregnancy, and she’s choosing to visit the one person who would understand that God’s word would never fail.
As she steps into their home, she is greeted by Elizabeth, who seems to already know her big news! This moment 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 both Mary and her baby. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke what I believe Mary needed to hear – what God Himself was saying to her through Elizabeth (Luke 1:42-45).
“YOU ARE BLESSED BECAUSE YOU BELIEVED THAT THE LORD WOULD DO WHAT HE SAID.”
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? Do you choose to stand in confidence that God’s word will never fail?
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. Thank you for the reminder that your word will not return void (Isaiah 55:11). Amen.