Luke 1:1-66
1. Elizabeth faced great disappointment.
- Disappointment, change, and loss.
- How do you know when someone is wise?
- 1 Kings 3:28 "The people saw that Solomon had God's wisdom by the decisions he made."
- Her life pleased God.
- In circumstances like that, you can either trust God or get mad at God.
- God does not guarantee you a hurt-free life.
- This is not heaven, so don't expect heaven here on earth.
- Nothing works perfectly on this planet.
- “In this world, you will have trouble.”
- "Your persistent prayers have been heard."
- "When Elizabeth gave birth to her son, her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had blessed her and her whole world changed."
- "No. He's going to be called John."
- God’s timing is always perfect.
- May I suggest to you that a delay is not a denial?
- A wise person trusts God’s plan and timing, even when it doesn’t make sense.
2. Mary faced a great change.
- "The Holy Spirit will come over you and overshadow you."
- It was a total and complete change.
- "Mary, nothing is impossible with God."
- "I am the Lord's servant. I accept whatever He plans for me. May it be according to your word."
- Psalm 40:8 "I desire to do Your will, O my God."
- Luke 2:19 "Mary quietly treasured these things all that God told her, in her heart, and she often thought about them."
- What are we believing?
3. Anna faced a great loss.
- Exodus 13:2 "Every firstborn boy is to be dedicated back to God."
- We are to act immediately.
- She took her life and her loss and committed it to serving God.
- She decided and chose to focus on God's presence.
- They were wise and they made decisions to trust God and not wallow in their circumstances.