Sometimes we see and go through things so that we can give
an account. Yes other accounts of the same situation may exist, but nobody can
give an account like you. Your testimony will be different because you went through
it. Some people may even receive it better from you because they know you
personally. Perhaps Theophilus had heard the story about Elizabeth and Mary
many times, but his faith might have increased when he heard it from Luke.
Maybe Theophilus was in a place in his life where he needed the faith to
believe God because each person discussed in this chapter came to a point where
they had to take God at His word. In this chapter we see what happens when we
trust God and we see what can happen if we question and or limit His promises
to us.
God loved Elizabeth and her husband so much that they were
counted worthy to be mentioned in the bible! We all know what it’s like to want
something so bad and not get it. Imagine how Elizabeth must have felt. She may
have prayed daily with everything that she had to have a baby, but yet she was
barren. I’m sure that she questioned and doubted her own woman hood. I’m sure
she shed many tears, but I’m also sure that she wiped her tears away and
decided to serve the Lord despite her request not being granted right away. I
believe that God loved Elizabeth and her husband. I believe that they were
special to Him. The bible says that “both of them were righteous in the sight
of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly” (Luke 1:6
NIV).They decided to love and honor the Lord despite the “not right now” that
looked like a “no”. Even though God may tell us” no” or “not right now”, that
does not mean that He loves us any less or that He has forgotten about us. I
believe that Elizabeth decided to not be depressed despite her heart’s desire.
If there ever was a time that her heart was broken, she decided to not sit in
that sad place and be depressed. We have to do the same and know that God still
wants to use us. Elizabeth was being prepped for a testimony that would be told
to the world many times over. It would have been easy for her to have a baby in
her youth and blend in, but God had something better planned for her. God gave
her the joy of all joys in His timing. We have to remember, in His timing. God’s
timing is perfect. I believe that Elizabeth trusted God because she and her
husband followed God’s decrees blamelessly. When we want something so bad, it
can be easy to leave God. I don’t know what God showed Elizabeth in her youth, but
she held on tight to the Lord. She was blameless. I believe that she was
blameless in her love and devotion to God. I can imagine her as a woman who
praised God as she cleaned her house. She probably helped in her community, and
poured into others. Her community was happy with her when she had a baby, so I
don’t believe that she showed any signs of bitterness. We should not treat the
world bad just because we are going through something personally. It is not
their fault.
God has to always be welcomed to show up in our lives.
Elizabeth and Zechariah didn’t shut God out. Zechariah was a priest who just so
happened to be burning incense in the temple while worshippers were outside
praying. Don’t stop worshipping and don’t stop praying. On that day there was
an atmosphere created that welcomed God to come in and do something amazing.
The presence of God was in the midst of prayer and worship. Zechariah did not
leave God’s presence because of bitterness. He was blameless. Many of us leave
the presence of God because we are mad about something. We don’t consider His
heart or His timing. We don’t consider His love and we don’t consider what He
has already done. Elizabeth and Zechariah were blameless.
God’s timing is perfect. At the right time, the angel of the
Lord visited Zechariah and said, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has
been heard” (Luke 1:13 NIV). Stop being worried and anxious about everything. Stop
looking at your circumstance and your age. Trust that God’s timing is perfect.
Stop thinking about what you should have or could have done. It will work out
for you. Your prayer has been heard.
God does not create chaos. The angel of the Lord told
Zechariah that his son would “be a joy and delight to you, and many will
rejoice because of his birth (Luke 1:14 NIV).” There will be a ministry and a
testimony when the Lord visits you. I can just imagine Elizabeth and Zechariah
telling everyone that would listen what the Lord had done for them. Elizabeth
might have even started a support group, lol.
Don’t doubt God. He is faithful to do what He said He would
do. Don’t allow yourself to trip up in life because of what your life calendar
looks like. God cares about the desires of your heart and He will fulfill them
in His way when it is time. Look at your life and ask God what it is that you
should be doing. Should you be praying, should you be preparing. Who’s to say
that Elizabeth didn’t in some way spend time with children? Maybe she baby sat,
maybe she had a daycare, and maybe she threw other woman baby showers and
celebrated with them instead of being jealous. Don’t stop pouring into people.
Be happy when they are happy. Rejoice with them. Pour into the very thing that
you desire with gladness.
Teach others what you have learned about waiting on the
Lord. Someone needs your testimony. Elizabeth probably helped a lot of women. I
don’t believe that she was a selfish woman. I believe that she always gave of herself
and treated people with respect because others rejoiced with her. This woman
had friends that were happy when she was happy. I believe that in some way she
gave of herself to those very people. Elizabeth was blameless. God did not
count her out. He still saw her. I believe that perhaps He took note of how she
spent her time. Just because her request seemed like a “no”, that did not mean
that God stopped watching her. God is present in the midst of the “no” or the “not
right now”. Elizabeth still had a job to do before she became a mom. She related
to other women who were in the same place that she was in and she could show
them how to still trust and love God. Are you bitter or are you still trusting
and loving God? Elizabeth was blameless!
How do you become blameless and still keep the commandments
and the degrees of the Lord when you are broken hearted and want something so
bad that it hurts. Elizabeth may have shed many tears, but I believe that they
were shed in God’s presence. Elizabeth did not leave God’s presence.
I pray over every
broken and wanting heart. I pray that God will comfort you with His peace and I
pray that you do not leave His presence. I pray against bitterness, anger, jealousy,
and brokenness. God loves you so much and He sees you. God still saw Elizabeth
and He still sees you too. I pray that you trust God and the plans that He has
for your life. I pray for your joy in the Lord. If you have lost your smile, I
pray that God gives you His. I pray blessings, fulfillment, and contentment in
your life. NEVER forget that God loves you. In Jesus name, Amen.
Be blameless. Still serve God. Push past the hurt and allow
yourself to enter into the peace of God.
“The blessing of the
LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it” (Proverbs 10:22 NLT).
Recommended Listening:
Deitrick Haddon- He’s able
Recommended Reading:
Luke 1
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