Morning by Morning, December 9, 2025 – From Barrenness to Joy Good morning, Lord Jesus. Set my heart right with You, as I start off my day, right here with You. ... “And (Zechariah and Elizabeth) were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years” (Luke 1:6). Though Elizabeth was “righteous,” she was also “barren.” And in her barrenness in the culture and time she lived, she bore much “reproach among people” (v. 25). But God had other plans. Before the Holy Spirit entered the womb of Mary to conceive our Savior, the Holy Spirit moved in the womb of Elizabeth to give her a son. Giving birth would beak the curse of her barrenness and bring forth the blessings of God in her generation and for every generation after. Her son, who would be named John—John the Baptist—would “be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb,” would go before our Savior “in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (v. 15-17). Holy Spirit, You prepared Elizabeth’s womb to birth the one who would prepare the way of the Lord. Elizabeth and Zachariah would “have joy and gladness, and many (would) rejoice at his birth” (v. 14). In the same way, during this Christmas season, move in our hearts, Holy Spirit, as You moved in the womb of Elizabeth, to prepare the way of the Lord in us. Prepare us for the time of celebration of the birth of our Savior. Fill us with joy and gladness. Fill us with Your Spirit, as we rejoice at the birth of Jesus, just as the Elizabeth and Zachariah rejoiced at the birth of John. The Words of the Prophet Isaiah come to mind: “Sing, O barren one who did not bear; burst into song and shout!” (Isaiah 54:1 NRSV) You turned her barrenness into joy. You turned her curse into blessing. And during this Christmas time, when some are excited for the season but others are weary under their burdens, would You move in Your power—even in “the spirit and power of Elijah” that prepares the way of the Lord in our hearts, that turns hearts back to you—to bring joy and gladness even in the places that feel only barrenness and reproach. May Your joy be our strength! May Your Spirit lift up our hearts to behold our Savior! In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today. In the love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
My friend, may your heart be filled with gladness and joy as the Holy Spirit prepares the way of the Lord in your heart this Christmas season, in Jesus' name. God bless you, my friend! And you have a great day!
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Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries 502 North Milam Street Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
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