The Bountiful Heart

The word bountiful, is commonly used when describing that which is tangible, that which can easily be seen and touched. For example, we speak of a bountiful harvest, where farmers have bumper crops. We know of many who speak of their bountiful blessings, where they have a loving, God-fearing family; good and secure jobs; faithful friends; good health and much more. However, we are looking at the meaning of bountiful as we are led to observe Mary’s cousin, Elizabeth. We shall move slowly through this discourse, to ensure that we do not bypass any aspect, or area of bounty.

First of all, we are viewing a woman who has lived most of her adult life with a heart that is less than bountiful. In fact, she is described by angel Gabriel as one who is barren. You and I can well imagine the meaning of the word barren, as being the total opposite to the word bountiful. In speaking to Mary about her cousin Elizabeth, this is what the angel said. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. Luke 1: 36. Elizabeth herself, after becoming pregnant, said. The Lord has done this for me, she said. In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people. Luke 1: 25. Now, if that is not bounty being given to one who was barren, I don’t know what is.

Elizabeth is married to a man of God, a priest of Israel and they both feared the Lord. Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly. Luke 1: 6. Yet, despite their uprightness, Elizabeth carried a barren heart, because she had no offspring.

Who is like our God? Who is able to do the absolutely impossible, man’s absolute impossible, by just a Word of Promise? Listen to this very carefully. The God whom you and I love, worship and adore, is the God who chose to use a heart that was barren, to become a bountiful heart.

In God’s timing, when He wanted to have a forerunner to Jesus, He took a barren heart and life and made it so divinely bountiful, the world as it were, stood aghast, in unbelievable awe. Almighty Sovereign God, our Heavenly Father, both yours and mine, chose to bring the forerunner to His own Beloved Son Jesus, through one who was not, like Mary, a virgin. Unlike young Mary, God chose one who was old and who had already been married for many years. He chose one whose heart carried emptiness, for she saw herself as not being favoured by Almighty God, as other married women were. He chose one who carried a heart of disgrace among her people, for she had nothing of bountifulness to offer, but everything of barrenness to show. God and God alone, took the heart of Elizabeth and made it a bountiful heart.

I ask you, who can fathom the ways of Almighty God? What can compare to the Wisdom of God? What can compare to the Power of God? Is anything impossible with God?

Look at yourself this Christmas and Advent season. Whether you are male or female, are you carrying a barren heart? You have lovingly and faithfully served your Lord and Master, whom you so dearly love, yet you do not have the favour, as others around you do. Do you feel that you have produced no fruit of the Spirit, which has made your heart full of the favour of the Lord?

Is anything too hard for God to do in you, even at this time? Jesus has chosen you to be His disciple, to carry His Word. It is not too late for you. Whether you are old, or feel old because you see yourself as one ‘on the shelf’, producing nothing in the Name of Jesus, hear this. Blessed are you who believe that what the Lord said to you will be accomplished.