 IntegrityYour Body: The LiverTrue MinistryDon’t Neglect Your GiftSearching for Your Self-Worth |
|
From the EditorFellowship of ServiceWho, Me? Serve?MentoringThe Role of Christian Women in Paul’s DayElizabeth: A Woman of FaithShopping for Modesty in Egypt |
|
| ||
|
Elizabeth: A Woman of Faith
By Elizabeth McVey
There are times in life when things don’t go as expected. It can be heartbreaking and sometimes pushes a person away from God. It can seem that God’s promises are far away and makes it difficult for us to stay faithful to God. Elizabeth is a great example of a woman of the Bible who stayed faithful to God. Today, we can learn from her example and apply her faith to our lives, no matter what our circumstances are. When God makes a promise He is going to keep it and God can do anything! Elizabeth’s name means, “God is my oath.” She was a descendant of Aaron and a woman the Bible calls, “upright in the sight of God.” She was married to Zechariah. Elizabeth followed all of God’s commandments blamelessly. She did her best to obey God and do what He wanted her to do. She was the first to acknowledge Jesus as Lord. The story of Elizabeth can be found in Luke 1. She was barren, which in those times was looked down upon. A woman’s worth was judged by her ability to have children. She and her husband were growing old and thought they would not be blessed with children. It seemed impossible. One day an angel of the Lord appeared to Elizabeth’s husband, Zechariah. The angel told Zechariah Elizabeth would give birth to a son and he was to be named John. She became pregnant and immediately exclaimed, “Look what the Lord has done for me! My people were ashamed of me, but now the Lord has taken away that shame” (Luke 1:25). Elizabeth gave all of the praise to God. She knew He had done this and did not doubt God. | ||
|
When Elizabeth was in her sixth month of pregnancy her relative, Mary, came to visit. “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the unborn baby inside her jumped, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She cried out in a loud voice, ‘God has blessed you more than any other woman, and he has blessed the baby that you will give birth to’” (Luke 1:41-42). Elizabeth could have been upset or jealous that she was not chosen by God to give birth to Jesus, but was not. Instead, Elizabeth was filled with joy and excitement for Mary and for her Savior. She praised God and supported Mary. God had a plan and Elizabeth knew that. No blessing or person is too small or insignificant. Elizabeth knew her purpose and was happy to fulfill it. She continually praised God for the blessing she was given and the opportunity to do her part. | |
|
“Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished” (Luke 1: 45). Elizabeth never doubted God and what He said He would do. She was blessed with giving birth to a son named John. Elizabeth praised God for her blessing. This is the attitude in life you should have. Let’s pretend a friend of yours just got engaged. You are far from being engaged and getting married, but that is what you want for your life. Don’t be jealous of your friend and ruin the exciting time in her life. Instead be excited for her and share in her joy. Go to God and ask Him to bring that same joy into your life one day and thank him for the blessings you do have now. This could also apply to your job. You have a friend at work that has just been promoted and you haven’t. You might not understand why you haven’t been promoted because you work just as hard as your friend. Be happy for your friend that he or she has received a promotion instead of being jealous. Your time will come and later on you will understand why you haven’t been promoted. It will all work out for you but you need to stay close to God and not doubt Him. When things don’t go as planned in your life, remember the example of Elizabeth. Continue to go to God, praise Him and ask Him for help. Understand that God has a plan for your life and give it time to happen. God has made many promises to you. Don’t doubt Him because He always keeps His promises. But you must stay close to God through prayer and study. Wait patiently because God can do the impossible. i | ||