Your Purpose Is Greater Than You

Scripture:
Luke 1 verse 7,13,28-29,32,34-38

Verse 7 “But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren and they were both well advance in years.

Verse 13” But the angel said to him “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear a son, and you shall call his name John.”

Verse 35 “ and the angel answered and said to her, the holy spirit will come upon you….

Reflection:
As we all know Matthew and Luke talks about the birth of Jesus. In today’s devotional were going to talk about Jesus birth using Luke’s story. Elizabeth Mary’s cousin was married to a priest but she was unable to conceive a child because she was barren. Back in those days women are expected to have babies. Imagine how she felt when she realized she could never have a child and to think how people would have talked about her cause after all she is married to a priest.

So, years went by, they advanced in years and still have no child. Mary at this time was going through some stuff in her own life like low self-esteem, depression and more. When the angel Gabriel came to tell her the good news (verse 28) “ and having come in the angel said to her “ rejoice, highly favored one, the lord is with you :blessed are you among woman!” verse 31 “ and behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a son and shall call his name Jesus.” In the mist of him saying that, she was troubled by what he was SAYING and not his PRESENCE.

So the angel went on to tell her how great Jesus is going to be and what’s going to happen in his life and she responded “ how can this be since I do not know a man” and he told her how. (verse 35) but I don’t think she believed him and I’m sure he can sense it to because he said this in verse 36-38 “ Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative had also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren.”37 “ for with God nothing will be impossible” 38” then Mary said “ behold the maidservant of the lord! Let it be to me according to your word”…..See Mary knew how badly Elizabeth wanted a child but in order for Mary to accept and conceive Jesus she had to hear that her cousin who couldn’t get pregnant conceived a child.

Hearing her cousin is pregnant gave her faith to know that it can happen for her too! Although Elizabeth had to go through what she went through because God knew when the right time would be for her to conceive and he also knew that Mary would need it to happen this way to accept being Jesus mom. God made Elizabeth wait because something greater was coming out of her waiting JESUS.
 
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for knowing what’s best for me and the people I am connected to. Help us to be patient and understanding when some things we ask for is not answered help us to understand that your timing is better in Jesus’ name I pray amen.