Joy for the Barren
The word joy, rejoice, and joyful is mentioned in the Bible 430 different times. It would seem our intended portion as believers is to be filled with joy. However, when we face life’s hardships, or worse, areas of our lives that have been marked with barrenness, it can be difficult to grasp onto the promise of joy. But I want to bring you hope today. In Luke 1, we learn about the story of Elizabeth and Zachariah, the parents of John the Baptist. According to Jesus, there had not been anyone greater than John the Baptist born up until that time. To be his parents was a great honor given by God - an honor that brought joy and gladness to his parents and caused many to rejoice (see Luke 1:15).
“Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist” Matthew 11:11
However, joy was not always their portion. In Luke 1:6-7 it tells us that though Elizabeth and Zachariah were both righteous and walked blamelessly before God, they were barren. Meaning, they had no children. No children meant no legacy. In fact, it tells us in Luke 1:25, Elizabeth’s barrenness even brought her disgrace among men. What’s worse is that Elizabeth and Zachariah were not only barren but advanced in years, so even the hope of having a family was all but gone.
They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.” Luke 1:6-7
Perhaps that’s you right now. You’ve been walking with the Lord, seeking Him and eager to do His will, but there is an area of your life that is barren. Perhaps a place has even brought you disgrace. Maybe you walked through a painful divorce, lost your job, don’t have community, are hoping to become pregnant, or haven’t stepped into the promises you believe God has spoken over your life. Whatever it is, I have good news for you:
The God we serve has heard your petitions to Him. It was while Zachariah was fulfilling His priestly duties that God turned His face towards him in favor. Meaning, while Zachariah was walking in obedience to what God had called Him to do, the Lord gave him a miracle. This wasn’t a miracle that Zachariah or Elizabeth could do themselves. In fact, the word specifically says that, ‘Elizabeth could not bear any children.’ So, it was not in their own works that the miracle would take place. It was only by the power of God.
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. Luke 1:13-14 NASB
It is in the continued obedience to our King and ongoing walking out His will for our lives where we will see the greatest miracles come forth. Zachariah, despite his unmet desires, continued to petition and serve the Lord with his whole heart. That is the breeding ground for the miracle working power of God. Ongoing obedience, consistent prayer, and great faith.
The Lord is in the business of taking things that are dead and barren and bringing new life from it. The greatest miracle we have ever seen, the resurrection of Christ and our subsequent salvation, came at the advent of a shameful death on the cross. It does not get anymore final than death. You must know this is the character and nature of the beloved God we serve. He wants and deserves to receive all the glory in our lives and He is in the business of working miracles in the most hopeless of situations.
What looks final in our limited view may only be the birth of something new and beautiful in God’s plan. Often people will give up before they receive their miracle because they judge God’s ability to turn things around through their own limited understanding and current circumstances. In the Word, God says, “So are My ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thought” (Isaiah 55:9).
I’m sure from Elizabeth and Zachariah’s objective they would have preferred God to have given them a child when Elizabeth was in her child bearing years. We don’t know what hindered Elizabeth from having children but we know that God worked it for good and for His glory. Not only did they receive a long awaited child, they gave birth to the forerunner of Christ.
And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. For nothing will be impossible with God. Luke 1:36-37
I believe this is a prophetic declaration for the church to speak out in this hour. No one thought that after 50 years, that we would see the overturning of Roe V. Wade especially in the midst of a very liberal political climate. The beautiful thing about this is on the exact day that Roe V. Wade was overturned was the same day the church celebrates the birth of John the Baptist. Is there significance to this? Absolutely. I believe God is prophetically speaking to the church and into the most hopeless of situations and declaring there are no impossibilities with Him.
In fact, I believe it has even more significance as a marker for shifting the spiritual environment of the United States to usher in revival and a move of the glory of God in unprecedented ways. As the church continues to partner with God in faith, we will see the miraculous, the barren areas bring new life, and our limitless God make all things possible.
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, Ephesians 3:20
