Hope, Redemption & a Baby

Do you ever put yourself in the shoes of people in the Bible? I’ve been reading through the Gospels the past couple months and put on the sandals of a lady I feel like I understand a lot better now.

If you have time, read Luke 1. I will highlight a few verses.
“In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.” (vv. 5-7)

How old were Zechariah and Elizabeth? VERY is all we’re told. I’ve only been married two (almost) years, and I can’t count the amount of times I’ve been asked, “When are you and Malcolm going to have kids?” or “Are you pregnant??” I’m not sure what the social protocol was back in Elizabeth’s day, but how many times was she asked questions like those? I feel like I know lots and LOTS of women who are pregnant, posting pictures in their anticipation – and though I know there is time to have kids in the future, a little pain in my chest comes. My heart sinks a little as I tell my motherly desires, “Wait. Not yet.” How often did Elizabeth have to do that? And by the time she was very old, what was the ache like? Had it grieved her? Did rely on the Lord?

After so long, after who knows how many prayers and petitions made to the Lord, God set His plan into action!

“After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. ‘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.’…  When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.” (vv.24-25, 57-58)

Wow! What joy! Not only did Elizabeth give birth to the long awaited and strongly desired child, but the one who would usher in the long awaited Savior and sought after Messiah. God in His infinite wisdom called the right people, at the right moment, for the right reasons, for a huge plan He had in store for mankind. {Tweet this}

This encourages me greatly! Lately I have had some news that has brought up the reality of God’s plan. Though it’s not confirmed, there is a chance that I could have endometriosis, which is the cause of infertility in about 30-40% infertility cases. It’s not impossible, but I have had to face the facts that there is a chance I may not have children naturally. But the coolest part of Elizabeth’s story is not that she got a baby, but that she was a part of God’s plan for the redemption of mankind. She had to learn many lessons along the way of trusting God with the circumstances, but in the end He had a far better plan than she did! And I want to trust that God has a better plan that I do.

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for your infinite wisdom! Thank you for having a big, mighty and awesome plan for Elizabeth and Zechariah – and thank you for having one for each of us as well! I pray that I will trust you with the circumstances, and look to you for my hope. Help me look forward to Your plan instead of planning my own. In Your Name I pray…

About Leah

Leah works with Master Plan Ministries at Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO. Other than watching college students' lives change, she enjoys getting her mind blown by God and His Word, watching sci fi, baking cupcakes, and spending time with her hunky husband. 

---

Sharing this article over at these awesome blogs.