Day 31 | Elizabeth

Read Luke 1:10-45

A relative of Mary, Elizabeth is the wife of Zechariah and mother of John the Baptist. She and Zechariah were obedient to God’s laws and “righteous in the sight of God” (Luke 1:6). Their prayers were answered when she gave birth to a son at an old age. Elizabeth felt as though her pregnancy took away her disgrace among the people at being labeled childless.

It is important to note that the angel Gabriel appeared in visible form and spoke audibly to Zechariah and then later to Mary delivering special messages to them both. Elizabeth would give birth to John the Baptist, the man who would prepare the way for Christ, and Mary would conceive a child by the Holy Spirit and give birth to Jesus, the Son of God. Gabriel goes on to explain to Mary, “For nothing shall be impossible with God” (v. 37).

Elizabeth stayed in seclusion until she was five months along, and in her sixth month, she was visited by Mary. Upon hearing Mary’s voice, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leaped for joy, and she was filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth calling her young relative “the mother of my Lord” (v. 43) was certain to have strengthened Mary’s faith. Elizabeth’s own faith, trust, and love for the Lord was shown in how she rejoiced in Mary’s condition. Instead of being envious of Mary carrying a son who would be greater than her own, she was filled with joy and felt blessed that “the mother of my Lord” would visit her.

Have you ever been jealous of someone that God used for a special purpose? Or perhaps you were envious of a blessing that someone else received? The best way to cure envy is to celebrate, rejoice, be excited for that person, and consider that God uses people in ways that work for His purpose.

Pray for 10 minutes