Welcome to today’s “Time in the Word”. We continue in our scripture study, which comes from Luke 1:23-26. If you are reading this digitally you can simply click on the highlighted text, otherwise, I invite you to grab your bible and turn to Luke 1. In the coming weeks, we’ll continue to discover how the people of the Christmas Story: Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, and Joseph chose “Faith over Fear”.
Last week’s devotional ended with a mute Zechariah heading home from his duties at the temple. The walk home gave him a great deal of time to think about his faith in God. The faith he lacked by asking the angel the “How?”, and the faith he was building in total silence. Have you ever trusted God for a miracle to happen?
Something amazing is about to happen
Zechariah returns home, and as the angel said, Elizabeth conceives. Imagine! I’m sure Elizabeth was speechless just as Zechariah already was. Even more incredible is to remember they were old. Monthly biological functions ceased, so there were no obvious pregnancy indicators.
The tears of J O Y that must have flowed! Can you imagine the thoughts that ran through Elizabeth’s head as she is throwing up? Her dress fit tighter than usual. What is going on here? I think I’m pregnant! No, that’s crazy. Wait! I think it’s true!
My favorite part is Elizabeth’s words in verse 25, “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.” Finally! The shame she felt around the neighborhood and at the “priest wives club gatherings”- gone!
So happy and elated with joy, Elizabeth went into seclusion for 5 months. I would have gone into seclusion too. Kept away from prying eyes, nosey questions, and a fair amount of ridicule. Only emerging when my belly left no doubt as to what great blessing awaited me and my husband.
I would want to enjoy every second of basking in the thought “I’m pregnant! God has done this for ME!” To be sick, to gain weight, the aches and pains of ligaments stretching, and to feel the flutters and movement. I’m sure in the joy there had to be a feeling of fear. What if this ends in a miscarriage?
He will, He is
I hope that Zechariah wrote notes to Elizabeth so that he could share what the angel told him. What a faith builder to watch as every word the angel spoke come true. Knowing those words would have given her the strength to believe and to trust.
In verses 16-17, it lists all the “He will’s and He is’s” that John, their son, will accomplish by his birth and through his life:
- He will… be a joy, a delight, many will rejoice in Johns birth
- He will… be great in the sight of the Lord
- He is to never drink wine or fermented drink
- He will be filled with the Holy Spirit before birth
- He will bring many Jews back to God
- He will go on before the Lord in the spirit of Elijah
- He will turn parents back to their children and disobedient people to wisdom and righetousness
Join us next week, when Mary gets a surprise visit from an angel and spends her first trimester with her relative Elizabeth. Till next time, thanks for joining me here in “Time in the Word”.
Michele Bruxvoort is sure to draw you in with her delightful sense of humor and love for living life. She enjoys reading, repurposing, as well as remodeling the family home with her husband. Drawing from her life experience as wife, mom, and follower of Jesus, Michele brings you a very honest and real perspective on life. When you don’t find her writing, you can find her mowing lawns, stocking shelves, taking care of her grandbaby and tackling her latest life adventure.
Wisconsin native and empty-nester, she now makes her home with her husband of 27 years in the South West Prairie plains of Minnesota.