Nothing is Impossible with God- Just ask Elizabeth

"In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly. 7But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years." Luke 1:5-7

"Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John." Luke 1:11-13

"Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:36,37

"When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" Luke 1:41-45

"On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, 60but his mother spoke up and said, "No! He is to be called John."

61They said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who has that name."

62Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63He asked for a writing tablet, and to every one's astonishment he wrote, "His name is John." 64Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God." Luke 1:59-64

I know that's a lot of scripture for one morning, but it's so worth it to read it. This isn't all that different from the story of Abraham and Sarah, for Elizabeth was barren, unable to have children. In those days, this brought her great shame as a person, because she was unable to provide her husband with a descendant. And then God found favor with Elizabeth and caused her to become pregnant. Imagine the joy that must have surged in her heart, finding she was pregnant after all those years of wishing it so. Just imagine!

This is proof, concrete proof, that with God, anything is possible. If we are faithful to him, who knows what could happen! Look at Zechariah and Elizabeth, not only were they both accepting of God's gift to them, but the took it a step further and followed his instructions regarding their son. In an age where the firstborn son was always named after the father, they chose to name their son what God told them to name him. I cannot even begin to fathom the gratitude that Elizabeth and Zechariah felt as they held their new son for the first time. He was a miracle to them.

Nothing, nothing, nothing is impossible with God. I keep telling myself that, yet sometimes it is truly hard to believe. Andy is in the worst job he's ever had. It's also not paying the bills, and I have to keep telling myself to believe that God has him there for a reason and that when the time is right, the better job will be there. But it's really, really hard to believe that. Just ask Zechariah, who questioned the angel Gabriel, and then had his voice taken away for several months until he named his son John. It's difficult to not question and ask why, and are you sure. But it is an encouragement and somewhat of a comfort to know that all things are possible.