Read Judges 13:2-7,24-25, Ps.71:3-6,16-17, Luke 1:5-25
“And the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, although you are barren, having borne no children, you shall conceive and bear a son. Now be careful not to drink wine or strong drink, or to eat anything unclean, for you shall conceive and bear a son.” (Judges 13:3-5)
Who can predict the mind of God? Nobody. Who knows what will happen tomorrow? Nobody. In our pursuit of scientific knowledge, we have discovered so many laws, for instance, the law of gravity, the law of motion, etc.
We see these laws on a daily basis but what science cannot tell us is who put these laws in place. I bring you Good News today. He who created those laws has the power to change them on your behalf.
This is what we find playing out in both of our readings today. Two women who were passed the age of childbearing, two women no longer qualified according to the law of pregnancy conceived. And that was not all, their child became extraordinary characters. God acts in such a way that in the end, He alone receives the full credit.
As St. Paul makes clear to us: “God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God.” (1st Corinthians 1:27-29).
To shame Goliath, God chose David. To shame those mocking Samson’s mum, Hannah, Elizabeth, etc. God give them children. Be careful of who you laugh at! God can shock you. Why should you even be laughing at your fellow human being? Who are you to write someone off? Why label a person with their painful condition? So, because this guy is always calling to ask for help, you saved his number with “begi-begi-beggar? Watch out oh!
It is precisely when all hope is lost that God shows up. At that point when nothing seems to be working that God surprises you. As one author said, “God writes straight on jagged lines.” The fact that you are presently experiencing barrenness in one way or another does not mean that this is the end of your story.
Zechariah prayed for many years for a child and did not get an answer. When eventually the answer came, Zachariah forgot what he had been praying for. He felt that God had decided not to grant him a child anymore. His doubt was obvious to the Angel and so he was punished with dumbness. What is that which I have been praying for? Have I reached a point of doubt?
Let us pray: Heavenly Father, strengthen my faith when times are hard. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (19 December. Bible Study: Judges 13:2-7,24-25, Ps.71:3-6,16-17, Luke 1:5-25)
© Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu