Today’s Reading: Luke 1:21-25; Psalm 116, 124 & 145

How kind the Lord is! How good he is!
So merciful, this God of ours!
The Lord protects those of childlike faith;
I was facing death, and he saved me. – Psalm 116:5-6

Let’s sit in the story of Elizabeth one more day. She is far from a main character in the story of Jesus, but she is a main character in my story — so much so that I named my baby girl after her. It was important to me that Libby grow up knowing the story of Elizabeth. It is important to me that all three of my daughters know that when others say it cannot be done, God has the power to declare it WILL be done.

If I had a quote wall, Elizabeth would be on it twice. Luke‘s interview with Mary, the mother of Jesus, reveals two very profound statements that came from Elizabeth. We looked at one of those statements yesterday, when Elizabeth said to Mary, “You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said” (Luke 1:45). Now let’s consider the other statement Elizabeth made.

“How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.” – Luke 1:25

Stop and consider with Elizabeth just how kind the Lord has been to you. God is so good and so compassionate and so loving. There is evidence of His kindness all over our lives. What has he taken away from you as an act of kindness? Was it shame from a sin committed or regret of a word spoken? Did he strengthen you for the consequences that could have destroyed you? Was He with you through the loneliness that left you feeling unloved and unvalued? Are you even now experiencing pain from an unbearable loss or sickness that is taking away the life you loved?

Perhaps there is something in your life that is causing you pain. God might be willing to take that away from you, but consider the possibility that you are holding onto it so tightly that you have stopped clinging to Him. Perhaps it is time to offer everything to Him and let Him bless you with His kindness. Consider the possibility that today God could heal your hurts, answer your prayers, and do something amazing on your behalf.

WHEN OTHERS SAY IT CANNOT BE DONE, GOD HAS THE POWER TO DECLARE IT WILL BE DONE.

Elizabeth’s grief was probably stronger than what I experienced when we were struggling to start a family. I knew that, with or without children, I would be involved in full-time ministry. I was confident God would bless our lives even if we remained a family of two. Women today can choose a career or ministry in place of motherhood and be valued for that decision. In those days, childbearing was considered the highest calling for a woman. Infertility was often paired with a social stigma or shame, often assuming God was not blessing a woman with a baby because of some kind of sin in her life. But Luke makes it clear that Elizabeth was found righteous in God’s sight.

In fact, Luke went on to say that Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. There are a few instances in the Old Testament when someone is described as being filled with the Spirit of God, but there are only four people who were described in the gospels as being filled with the Holy Spirit: John the Baptist (1:16), Elizabeth (1:41), Zechariah (1:67), and Jesus (4:14). Once more, God poured out His blessing on this very special woman.

We serve a generous God, don’t we? He is involved in each unique life created, and loves us individually. When He sent His Son, He had you in mind. Even today, He is weaving your story into His, just like He did for Elizabeth. So take hope, my friend. Give God your yesterdays, trust God with your future, and believe that today He is going to do something amazing both for you, in you and through you.

WHEN OTHERS SAY IT CANNOT BE DONE, GOD HAS THE POWER TO DECLARE IT WILL BE DONE.

Do you see this Prince of Peace, born in a manger, as being kind and faithful? That is what He is. The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay, was born out of the kindness and generosity of our Creator and He loves us with that same kindness today. Will you let him take away what you have been holding on to and leave faith in its place? May this next season of your life be marked by a faith that God will do what He says He will do, even when others say it can’t be done.

The Lord always keeps his promises;
he is gracious in all he does.
The Lord helps the fallen
and lifts those bent beneath their loads.
The eyes of all look to you in hope;
you give them their food as they need it.
When you open your hand,
you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.
The Lord is righteous in everything he does;
he is filled with kindness.
The Lord is close to all who call on him,
yes, to all who call on him in truth.
He grants the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cries for help and rescues them. – Psalm 145:13b-19