Bible in a Year - Women’s Thematic Reading Plan | Day 67

Day 67 of the Women’s Bible Plan: Read Luke 1:39-45 and reflect on Mary’s visit to Elisabeth. Through the meeting of these two women, both carrying promises from God, this devotional helps women see how spiritual companions can strengthen one another in faith, waiting, obedience, and joy. 

🌸  Dear Sister, welcome to Day 67 of our reading journey. 

There are moments when we deeply need someone who can understand us. Not merely someone who hears our words, but someone who can discern before God what we are walking through; not someone who offers quick comfort, but someone who can confirm with faith that God is at work in our lives.

After Mary heard the angel’s message, her life entered a great turning point. Though she was young, she received a calling beyond human understanding: the Holy Ghost would come upon her, the power of the Highest would overshadow her, and she would conceive and bring forth a son, who would be called the Son of God. This was a great grace, but also a heavy trust. Without strength from God, such a calling could easily leave a person feeling alone, afraid, and unsure how to face what was ahead.

At that time, Mary arose and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda, and entered into the house of Zacharias and saluted Elisabeth. She did not try to carry everything alone. She went to an older sister in faith who was also experiencing the wondrous work of God. As soon as Elisabeth heard Mary’s salutation, the babe leaped in her womb, and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost. She lifted up her voice and blessed Mary.

This passage shows us that God not only gives His calling; He also gives companionship. He knows that when we receive His promise, walk into the unknown, and learn obedience, we need spiritual confirmation, warm acceptance, and the strengthening of faith.

A Minute of Grace

Luke 1:39-45 records Mary’s visit to Elisabeth. In the verses before this passage, the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her that she would conceive by the Holy Ghost and bring forth Jesus. The angel also told her that Elisabeth, though old and once called barren, had also conceived a son, “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”

After hearing this, Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country. She entered the house of Zacharias and saluted Elisabeth. Her action is worth noticing. Facing such a life-changing message, Mary did not remain alone in her questions and pressure. She did not carry alone the possible misunderstanding that might come. Instead, she went to someone who could understand her before God and strengthen her in faith.

Elisabeth’s response was full of the work of the Holy Ghost. As soon as she heard Mary’s salutation, the babe leaped in her womb, and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost. She said with a loud voice, “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.” Elisabeth did not comfort Mary with mere human guessing. By the moving of the Holy Ghost, she recognized and confirmed the work of God in Mary.

What strength this must have brought to Mary. The calling she had received was too unique, too difficult to explain, and too easily misunderstood. Yet when she came to Elisabeth, Elisabeth did not question her, dismiss her, or make her more afraid. Instead, in the Holy Ghost, Elisabeth recognized God’s work and called her blessed.

From the perspective of “Women in the Bible,” this passage is deeply beautiful. A young woman and an older woman meet; one has just received a promise, and the other is already carrying a child in the waiting. One will become the earthly mother of the Lord Jesus; the other will become the mother of John the Baptist. When they meet, they do not compare themselves or compete with one another. They strengthen one another, rejoice together, and stand together in the promises of God.

Today’s theme, “Mary Visits Elisabeth,” invites us to reflect: Do we have spiritual companions on the road of faith? When others are experiencing God’s leading, can we become people who confirm, bless, and encourage them? When we ourselves are walking into the unknown, are we willing to humbly seek sisters who can support us before God?

Whispers for the Heart

1 After Mary heard the angel’s message, she went with haste to visit Elisabeth. When you face a major decision, a spiritual calling, a life transition, or inner pressure, do you usually carry it alone, or are you willing to seek spiritual companions who can pray, discern, and walk with you?

2 Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost, recognized God’s work in Mary, and called her blessed. Have you ever seen God’s grace in another person’s life, yet held back from blessing her because of comparison, jealousy, or doubt? Is God inviting you today to become a sister who strengthens others with faith and blesses them with your words?

3 Mary and Elisabeth both experienced miracles beyond ordinary explanation—one conceived as a virgin, the other conceived in old age. Their meeting strengthened both of their faith. Are there sisters around you who are walking through waiting, obedience, uncertainty, or a season that is hard to explain? How can you become a companion to them on the road of faith?

As you read Luke 1:39-45 today, do not see this only as an ordinary visit. See how God used the meeting of two women to bring spiritual confirmation, mutual strengthening, and joy from the Holy Ghost.

Take a quiet breath before you begin. Bring your longing for spiritual companionship, the weariness of carrying things alone, and your need for mutual support before the Lord, and let His Word meet you there.

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🪕 Response Hymn:  

Luke 1:39-45 (KJV) 

39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;

40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

41 And 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:

42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

🪕 Response Hymn:  

💡 Closing Thought · Strengthened Through Companionship 

After reading Luke 1:39-45, we see that Mary did not carry God’s great promise alone. She went to visit Elisabeth. Elisabeth did not respond with suspicion or human judgment, but recognized God’s work in the Holy Ghost and strengthened Mary with words of blessing. The meeting of these two women became a moment where faith was confirmed, joy was awakened, and God’s promise was strengthened again.

As we close this page and return to real life, perhaps you are facing a season that is hard to explain. Perhaps there is a decision in your heart that needs someone to pray with you. Perhaps there is also a sister near you who is waiting, obeying, or afraid. Remember this: God often strengthens us through spiritual companions, and He also calls us to become support for others.

May today’s Scripture remind you not to carry everything alone, and not to withhold blessing from others. May you courageously seek companionship when you need it, sincerely bless others when you see God’s grace in them, and learn mutual encouragement in sisterhood. May our meetings become more than brief greetings, but grace-filled moments where one another’s faith is strengthened.

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