How Would God Describe You?
By Keneesha Saunders-Liddie
“And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” - Luke 1:6
I would not have considered myself to have been blameless before God, or even righteous, but once we repent, we always have a blank slate before God. We are then made righteous and blameless again. Our God is so good!
Our key verse today is a commendation from the Apostle Luke about Zacharias and Elisabeth. He said that they were both righteous and blameless before God. This little family was childless but God was in the process of performing a miracle.
God had chosen long before they even met and grew in love, that they would be the chosen parents of John the Baptist. This is the Christmas season, and you are probably so happy for these days of Advent, simply because of what they represent.
The parents of John the Baptist knew what it meant to be patient because Elizabeth had been barren and past the ideal child-bearing age when God sent a messenger to tell her husband.
You may be wondering, so what does this couple have to do with Christmas?
I’m glad you asked. This couple was instrumental in preparing, teaching and advising the young man who will prepare the way for the Messiah, Jesus Christ. John eventually grew up into his purpose and ministered to others. He prepared them to meet Jesus, baptized him and presented him to the world at that time.
He was the signal that Jesus’s ministry was about to start and his about to end.
Another important fact is the encouragement that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was able to gather from Elizabeth. If you continue reading past our key verse you will realize that when the angel spoke to Mary it also told her of her cousin, Elizabeth’s miracle.
Mary spent 3 months with her cousin, Elizabeth. Can you imagine the fun fellowship they had? Mary was young and Elizabeth was old. Here were relatives who God chose over every other woman that was alive at that time. God didn’t make any mistakes. He knew exactly what he was doing.
Mary’s resolve was probably strengthened after she left her cousin’s house as she had also witnessed as well as experienced her own miracle.
My encouragement for you today is that you are found righteous and blameless before God. This is not an impossible task, or it wouldn’t have been mentioned in scripture.
To be righteous and blameless before God looks like this:
A woman who makes mistakes and sin but always repent as soon as she realizes her error. Someone that is willing to say sorry when they wrong another. Someone that always ready to offer forgiveness. Someone who loves their neighbor and enemies. Someone who doesn’t allow the sun to go down on their anger. Someone who realizes that God's mercies are new each and every morning that they are alive and awake each day with a resolve to bring God glory by striving to do better than yesterday.
Sinless perfection will never ever be attained in this life but with God’s help, we can strive to be righteous and blameless each day that God gives us.
Almighty God,
Thank you for the many examples that you allowed to be included in your word. The example of Zacharias and Elizabeth has motivated me to keep pressing forward serving you each and every day that you bless me with.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Keneesha Saunders-Liddie is a wife, mom and writer. She is an avid reader of wholesome romance novels and a lover of writing. She is hoping to one day add author to her list of accomplishments. As a pastor’s kid she fell in love with the way Jesus loved her at an early age and want to encourage others to live for him through her words. You can find more musings from her here https://womenlovinggodsway.com
Related Resource: Jesus Calling - Stories of Faith
Kerry Washington, Andrea Bocelli, Reba McEntire, Mark Wahlberg, Tony Dungy, and Matthew McConaughey—what do all of these people have in common? They are all people of faith who have leaned on God in both the good and challenging times—and they’ve shown up to tell their stories of faith on The Jesus Calling Podcast. The Jesus Calling Podcast provides a place for people from all walks of life to share the heartaches, joys, and divine moments that keep them going.
Inspired by Sarah Young's classic devotional book, the Jesus Calling podcast has brought encouragement and peace to millions. New episodes drop every Thursday! Listen today on LifeAudio.com or wherever you find your podcasts.