Read Luke 1:39-45
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!”
Mary received a confirmation of all she had been told by Gabriel. How confirmations can be such a gift! They help us reason: ‘No, I am not crazy!’ Or, ‘No, I did indeed understand the Lord correctly!’
I wonder if Mary needed this confirmation. I wonder is she were sick, both in heart with worry over Joseph’s reaction, and in body as the pregnancy took its toll on her physically. What a gift for her to be able to see her relative and share in glorifying God as He had worked two miracles between them! And what a gift, for Mary to hear her aunt’s sweet words, confirming to her what the angel had already told her.
Reflections:
1) When have you received confirmation for something? Could you identify it as a confirmation then, or did you need some time for hindsight first?
2) Praise God for orchestrating encouragement for you along life’s journey.
3) Take a moment and reflect on those around you. Identify someone who has a special gift or talent, or maybe you are sensing a call on someone’s life. Offer that person a form of encouragement: a verbal thank-you or a written note.
Commit to pray for both the gift and the person; and that the Lord will be glorified through use of that gift.
Thank you for reading! Please return by Wednesday, May 15, for the next post.