Monday 19 December, 2016

39 A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town 40 where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. 43 Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? 44 When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. 45 You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”

A few days after Mary had been told that she would give birth to the Messiah, Mary goes to visit Elizabeth.

At the sound of Mary’s greeting, the child in Elizabeth’s womb leaps for joy, Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit and declares that Mary’s child is her Lord.

Jesus said to Thomas “Blessed are those who believe and have not seen”. This is so true of Elizabeth. There is no physical evidence yet that Mary is pregnant, it’s too early. Jesus has not given any signs that say that he is the promised Messiah, it’s too early.

But it is not too early for Elizabeth to declare that Jesus is her Lord. This is faith. It is faith to believe that which is not yet seen. It is faith to believe the word spoken by God.

There have been times, even now, when I don’t see what God has promised coming to pass. Especially at these times, I need to declare over it that Jesus is Lord.

Christmas is a reminder that when God makes a promise, he keeps his word, its going to happen.

Father, thank you for Elizabeth’s incredible example of faith. Thank you for all the promises that you have already fulfilled. Thank you for all the promises that are yet to be fulfilled. Over all these things concerning me, Jesus, you are Lord.

Written by Andrew Martin