Friday, December 21

ELIZABETH

Luke 1:5-25; 36-45; 57-66

Zechariah's wife was Elizabeth and her very name means mighty, strength and completion. Yet, Elizabeth would come to recognize, that, of herself, she can do nothing, and only God's might and strength perform the things of God.

Elizabeth and her husband were considered righteous, walking before the Lord blamelessly. Although the Bible reveals the holy character of Elizabeth, we know from Scripture that "all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God.” Elizabeth had to be reduced in humility before God. He used her barren condition to draw her to Himself in true humility, faith, and worship. When she was young, she may have relied on her own ability to bear a child. She may have thought about her lineage, being one of the daughters of the priesthood of Aaron—a sure promise, since children are a heritage of the Lord. Twice it is spoken that Elizabeth was well stricken, meaning to walk forward, to advance. Elizabeth advanced toward God and God rewarded Elizabeth with His presence. "Without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."(Heb. 11:6) The Lord called Elizabeth into a close abiding relationship with Himself, not just in her early years, but throughout her advancing years. She humbled herself and allowed the Almighty to perform His work in her.

Elizabeth kept her faith in God while surrounded with unbelief, from her family, friends and even her husband. Five months she hid herself away humbly seeking God. She listened to the voice of the Lord, rather than to logical voices. God silenced her husband's voice, when, in unbelief, he questioned the angel. Gabriel, when speaking with Mary, concerning Elizabeth conceiving a son, said, "For with God nothing shall be impossible.” The Bible doesn't say that Elizabeth doubted at this time, however, we know that the Lord dealt with her heart. "Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein He looked on me, to take away my reproach among men." Elizabeth experienced the fullness of death to self—"Elizabeth was barren"—and the fullness of life in Christ—"Elizabeth's full time came.” The word “dealt” means to make or do. God had His way in her heart. "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure."(Phil. 2:13)

"Elizabeth heard...the babe leaped...and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost." In humility, mother and son were filled, and Elizabeth encouraged the expecting young Mary with these words, "Blessed is she that believed; for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord." Elizabeth believed the spoken Word of God when neighbors and cousins rejoiced with her, but had different plans for her son—"He shall be called John." Victory is complete, when, in humility, we allow God to perform by His strength and might alone. Amen.

~ Rosemary Parrotta