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Luke 1:23-25
The Almighty God is showing His power and authority in the life of a barren woman-Elizabeth. An Israelite woman would be held at a lower standard in society if she were found to be unable to have children; an outcast in the eyes of the community. Elizabeth states that the Lord took away her reproach, which can help us to understand the way she must have felt about her condition. She also “hid herself five months” (Luke 1:24, NKJV), and one possible reason for this is that after five months there would be no doubt that she is pregnant, and this would prevent anyone from questioning or scorning her for saying that she is pregnant in the early stages of the pregnancy before it was visually obvious. This would also explain her excitement in stating, “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people” (Luke 1:25).
This is an example of waiting on the Lord and keeping our faith in Him.
This is a promise of God being fulfilled.
This is an example of God redeeming those who trust in Him, and a prelude to sending His one and only Son who will redeem all who will put their trust in Him and believe in the salvation that He freely offers to us.
Elizabeth was unable to bear children, and she felt the pain and reproach of being “looked down on” by society. But she kept her faith and trust in God, and He blessed her with bearing the child that would proclaim the coming of the Messiah.
We too must realize that everything will not always go our way, but God is greater than we are, and His plan requires us to be patient and wait on His plan for us to reveal itself in God’s time and in God’s way. This is a way in which we grow in our relationship with Him – by trusting in Him and believing in his plan for our lives.
God works with our growth one step at a time, and we must take our steps as directed by Him to see and be that growth. The Apostle Paul realized this as he shares in Colossians 1:29, “To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.”
Dear Lord,
We are anxious and live in a hustle and bustle world that is never satisfied. Please help us to see that our lives are not about seeking self-indulgence or self-satisfaction, but about being to the praise of Your glory and letting that show in every step we take as a human being. Help us to see that we can only accomplish this through Jesus Christ who strengthens us as we keep our focus on Him and seek Your will for our lives. In Jesus name I pray, amen.