" There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years." Luke 1:5-7
There are a few things which jump out at me in this section of scripture. Elizabeth and Zacharias are described as 'righteous before God,' 'walking in all the commandments and ordinances. . . . .blameless.'
How many of us could say we are these things? Can you say you are righteous before God? What does that mean? Do you walk in all things in godly ways? We do not live under the commandments and ordinances of the Old Testament, but how do "I" do in walking in the ways set in the new covenant? Am I peaceful, loving, kind, truthful, joyful, faithful? (This is a partial list of those things He would have us be, of course.)
Here was a woman who was all that and more. And so, God chose her for a special task, which required years of preparation, depriving her of children, that His mighty hand might be clearly seen. Years of tears and wondering in which she learned patience, peace and assurance, realizing God knows best. His plans were more important than her own. Contentment and faithfulness were her constant companions.
What faith we see displayed in her life. And even when she did conceive and bear a son, she was still willing to give that one child to the service of the God who granted her fondest desire.
May we, too, aspire to such divine devotion to the One Who made us and knows us. Let us be faithful in our service and love; to God, to our Christian family, and then to the world!
Have you been born again, through hearing the word, believing, repenting, making the good confession, and dying in the waters of baptism to live the new life God raises us to? I pray you have. If not, take time to search God's word today.
