Blessed is she who believed
Today's focusMary hurries to Elizabeth, the unborn John leaps for joy, and Elizabeth blesses Mary for believing that the Lord would keep his word.
Read
39And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; 40And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. 41And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: 42And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
Reflection
When Mary receives the word of the Lord, she does not wait in isolation. She goes "with haste" into the hill country to find Elizabeth. This meeting shows us that the hope we carry is often confirmed through the community of others. As soon as Mary speaks, the "babe leaped" in Elizabeth’s womb for joy, and Elizabeth is "filled with the Holy Ghost." Even before the promises are fully visible, God provides moments of recognition and shared joy to strengthen you on the journey.
Elizabeth offers a profound blessing that speaks to the heart of our waiting: "blessed is she that believed." This blessing is rooted in the certainty that "there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord." Like Mary, you may be carrying a promise that is not yet fully realized. This passage encourages you that God is faithful to his word. Believing is not about your own strength, but about trusting that the Lord will perform what he has spoken. Your faith is met by his divine faithfulness.
AI-written reflection on the passage above. Let Scripture itself be the main thing.
Reflect
Who is an 'Elizabeth' in your life — someone who strengthens your faith — and how could you be that for someone else this week?
Pray
Lord, thank you for the people who encourage my faith. Fill me with your Spirit as you filled Elizabeth, so that my words build others up. Bless those who are believing you for something today.