BLESSED
Opening Prayer
Give thanks to God for the friends who build up your faith.
Read Luke 1:39–45
Mary Visits Elizabeth
39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
“God bless you…” What does that mean?Luke doesn’t embellish or extrapolate in his “orderly account.” He doesn’t, for example, try to put across the fear Mary must have felt once this God-conceived baby began to make its presence known in her body. She knew she had not broken faith with Joseph, but she also must have known that her story was going to be a hard sell. Mary’s decision to head to the home of Elizabeth was a wise one. Elizabeth was primed and ready to welcome her with open arms and a Spirit-inspired reminder that Mary was blessed beyond all measure to be carrying this baby.
Blessed, though this baby would put her future marriage at risk. Blessed, though this baby would mean years as a refugee in Egypt. Blessed, though she would one day watch him tortured and killed.
We speak of blessing lightly and often—after sneezes, in lieu of thanks, when the sun shines for our picnics. But God’s blessing is of a different order. Elizabeth recognized God’s blessing of Mary and declared it loudly and clearly. This was a gift more precious than the combined gifts from a million “baby showers.”
Apply
Are you looking to honor God or just receive his blessings? Do you get discouraged when you don’t see the rewards? Take time to look at your life today and see the blessings that may be hidden.
Closing prayer
Thank You, God, for blessing me beyond measure with the gift of Your Son, the presence of the Spirit and the promise of eternity with You.
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