This episode looks at Luke 1:60, “but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.” Elizabeth stands for God’s will over against the will of the people. May we imitate this example.

This episode looks at Luke 1:59, “And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father.” We want to, like Zechariah and Elizabeth, obey God’s every precision specifically because of our faith in him.

This episode looks at Luke 1:58, “And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.” The neighbors rejoice because of God’s work in this miraculous way. This should remind us of how God works miracles through ordinary processes as well.

This episode looks at Luke 1:57, “Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son.” Transition verses like this one can once again give us comfort and confidence as we consider the magnitude of this promise being kept. We can appreciate the growing case that God keeps every one of his promises. Praise God!

This episode looks at Luke 1:56, “And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.” Most of life is lived in passages like this one. Faithfulness is about the Magnificat moments, but it is also about the three months of unremarkable company and fellowship. May we be given grace to faithfully follow in the “normal” seasons of life.

This episode looks at Luke 1:55, “as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” God keeps his promises, and his promise includes not only Israel but rather all nations as well. Praise God!

This episode looks at Luke 1:54, “he has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy.” Our merciful and gracious God sent Jesus as a help for his people. Those of us washed clean by Christ’s blood have been brought into that people, and so God’s mercy is shown to us in Christ and in myriad ways each and every day. We thank God for his mercy and we trust him for more yet to come.

This episode looks at Luke 1:53, “he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.” God works good for those who need him, so if we are in a position of power or have riches, may we always come to him as needy people who are desperate for his grace.

This episode looks at Luke 1:52, “he has brought down the might from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate.” Christ brings a massive reversal in the world, and both kings and peasants stand equally in need of his mercy. We also pray that Christ will remove the prideful from power and exalt humble leaders to rule in positions of authority.

This episode looks at Luke 1:51, “He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.” God shows his strength in action by humbling the prideful. When we need it, would God do that to us. And when prideful people take positions of power, would God bring them down.