Day 10: Elizabeth Hears Mary’s Greeting
At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her! - Luke 1:39-45
Devotional:
Have you ever had someone confirm something you already knew in your spirit? Several years ago, I was wrestling with a decision about changing ministries. I had been praying about it for weeks, feeling a gentle nudge from God but wanting to be absolutely certain. One Sunday, a longtime church member approached me after service. Without knowing anything about my prayers, she said, "I don't know why, but I feel led to tell you that God is preparing you for something new."
When Mary visited Elizabeth, something extraordinary happened. Before Mary could even share her news, Elizabeth's unborn child leaped for joy, and she was filled with the Holy Spirit. This wasn't just a coincidence or an emotional response – it was divine confirmation. Elizabeth's spirit recognized what her ears were hearing, and God used this moment to encourage both women in their unique journeys. Their encounter reminds us that God often speaks to us through the community of believers, confirming His work in our lives through the words and reactions of others.
Sometimes we need these "Elizabeth moments" – times when someone else's spirit bears witness to what God is doing in our lives. These confirmations can strengthen our faith and remind us that we're not alone in our journey. Elizabeth's response to Mary also shows us how to celebrate God's work in others' lives, even when their blessing might overshadow our own story.
Reflection Questions:
How has God used others to confirm His voice in your life?
When was the last time you celebrated what God was doing in someone else's life?
Prayer Prompt: Ask God to help you be sensitive to His Spirit, both in recognizing His confirmations through others and in being an encouragement to those around you.