Several years ago, my husband and I had a struggle: we couldn’t have children. We had been blessed with three already, but our hearts wanted to add to our family. For 7 years, no children. We went through A LOT of emotions during this time – anger and frustration. Asking God all the whys. “Why won’t you...?” “Why can’t we...?” “Why would you...!?” My whys revealed what was in my heart: I deserved, I was entitled to, etc. But how many people had no children, like Elizabeth in our passage today? Yet here I was, throwing a fit!  

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Despite the great desire for God to give her a child, Elizabeth remained righteous and obedient. In fact, her name means “God is my oath” and she lived it, with or without a child. In Elizabeth’s day, being childless was a disgrace. The Jews believed the fruitlessness of her womb was directly her fault, not something that was out of her control. If she was just a better Jew, wife, woman, she could have a child. In the book of Deuteronomy, chapter 7, God had told his people that if they would listen and obey, not one of them would be barren (v. 12-14). So, instead of receiving what she yearns for or being comforted by friends, she is likely whispered about behind doors. Perhaps even well-meaning people’s advice stings as they try to get her to unearth some past sin she needs to make amends for.  

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However, Elizabeth knows something in her heart all the flapping lips don’t: She is a woman seeking God who longs to be obedient to him. There is nothing hidden from him. She is his servant, not the other way around, and she will be faithful and satisfy her soul in him. We don't know why God chose Elizabeth to bear this pain. Why did he seemingly test her in this way; why the suffering and disgrace? I can’t answer that any more than I can answer for my own 7-year trial. Are you looking for answers to your pain or suffering?  

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She endured it better than I did. Scripture says she was, “righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly” (Luke 1:6). I, on the other hand, was rebellious in my heart toward God. How are you handling your suffering or trial?

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When Elizabeth was old, an angel of God spoke to her husband and told of a coming son, John, who was sent “to make ready for the Lord a people prepared” (Luke 1:17). Not only will there be a child, but a son, and not just any son, but a son that will prepare people to meet God! So, an elderly couple that have lived life on the fringes of their elite tribe digest their new God-appointed roles in quiet and seclusion. Reflecting on God’s illogical timing, maybe terrified of miscarriage, the two of them make ready a path for their son. How will you prepare when God answers your prayers in his own unique time and way: fear and doubt, or faithfulness?

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Some months later, Mary, the soon to be mother of Jesus, has learned about her cousin Elizabeth’s pregnancy and goes for a visit to celebrate! As Mary enters the house, Elizabeth greets her; John leaps inside the body of his mother. It seems John is already answering his call to prepare the way for Jesus upon their first meeting, even though they’re both unborn! But then, an even more miraculous thing happens. The old, barren woman, looked at with contempt for most of her life, is entered by the Holy Spirit! The one pushed to the side and overlooked is chosen to be the first human being in history to proclaim that Jesus is Lord!

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“But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:43).

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After everything she’s endured and lived through, Elizabeth finally asks her why? And it reveals everything that’s been in her heart. That she would be found worthy in the sight of the Lord, not man. That she would be an instrument that furthers his Kingdom. That he sees her.

Do you feel favored that the Lord has come to you? Do you know that he sees you? What are your whys saying about your heart? Sure, it’s okay to ask questions, but to hold contempt or bitterness toward God is not. To act out with a sense of entitlement, as I can so easily do, is wrong. Life can be tough, and we don’t all get what we think will be our happy ending. But, if we trust him, he gives something even better.

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Abba, won’t you put in us a heart that is more like Elizabeth’s, a beautiful heart of servanthood that knows it’s place and yours? A heart that is courageous enough to take the plans you have for us and celebrate them, not fight against them. Sometimes it doesn’t make sense to us, and we have our whys, but let our why reveal a heart that is content and joyful with the life and plans you have given. Amen.