Luke 1:57-58 Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. 58 When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.
Elizabeth’s son was not just Elizabeth’s son – he would be John the Baptist, an integral part of God’s plan to establish the ministry of His Son, Jesus.
The Lord showed Elizabeth great mercy, and He did it in a way that furthered His plan. On the one hand, she experienced many years of not having the child she wanted. But God had a purpose in that. His withholding that blessing until His proper time was not lack of mercy, but was necessary to the working out of His plan.
Because of the wait, when God did give Elizabeth her son, the impact was much greater both on her and on others who witnessed the miracle. Her neighbors and relatives not only shared in her joy at having a child, but also saw and rejoiced in God’s mercy toward her.
Elizabeth was extraordinarily blessed of God. And because God moved in her behalf in His timing rather than hers, she was blessed far above what she would have been if she had had children earlier in her life.
Ron Franklin
