In those days Mary got up and went hurriedly into the hill country, to a town of Judah, and entered Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She exclaimed with a loud voice, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child in your womb! And who am I that the mother of my Lord should come and visit me? For the instant the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled.”
Mary and Elizabeth, Luke 1:39-45
Mary had just been told that her life was about to change but she also heard that Elizabeth, her elderly aunt’s life was about to change. Elizabeth was elderly but she was pregnant, just like Sarai in the Old Testament, her pregnancy was a miracle. It was natural that Mary wanted to investigate.
When God is at work in you he is usually also at work in the lives of those around you. Sometimes to really comprehend what God is doing in your life you must take time and see what He is doing with others.
Mary was a great encouragement to Elizabeth and Elizabeth confirmed God’s calling on Mary’s life. It is always encouraging to celebrate the work of God with others in the family of God.
Our hope for you today is that you find encouragement in the testimony of a friend, I further hope that you are the source of encouragement to someone else.
Bonus Content:
The Charles Wesley hymn “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” was playing in the background of today’s Podcast. We included this particular Christmas hymn in our podcast because it is encouraging to us.
Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.
Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.
With much love,
The Downings
