Good morning,
When God blesses, what should our response be? We should immediately thank Him. This week we will look at 5 people in the Bible that did just that.
They exulted, praised, thanked, and honored God.
Le Ann Trees wrote this and I added the complete Bible passages and challenges.
If God has blessed you, thank Him.
6. ELIZABETH
Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, was thankful that God took away her reproach among the people of Israel (Luke 1:5-25). Before becoming pregnant with John, Elizabeth was barren and long beyond child-bearing age.
“There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course, 9 According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he tarried so long in the temple.22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.”
7. MARY
Mary, in a beautiful song of praise known as the Magnificat, gave thanks to the Lord for being chosen to bear the incarnate Son of God (Luke 1:46-55).
“And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.54 He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;55 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.”
God allowed Elisabeth and Mary to give birth.
Both were supernatural.
Elisabeth was old and not able to conceive. While Zacharias served in the Priest’s office, Gabriel, the angel of God, spoke to him. He told him that Elisabeth would conceive and bear them a son who they were to call John. When Zacharias questions Gabriel, he was unable to speak.
God allowed John to be born. Zacharias receives his ability to speak and John serves God.
Elisabeth being barren was a reproach to her family. In Israel, it was important to be able to bear children. Especially male children. When God provided her the opportunity to bear a child she thanked God for taking away her reproach.
Mary is a Jewish girl. God chose her to be the mother of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. She magnifies God through her song of praise. She uses terms as magnify, rejoice, might, holy, mercy, and exalted. She understands that this was done by God. She believed what the angel had proclaimed and praised God.
What do we learn from these two women?
First, God does the supernatural. Second, when God does the supernatural, we should thank Him through our songs of praise. Third, when God blesses us, we should recognize it and thank Him.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskseniors.com
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