Elizabeth’s song

“How kind the Lord is,” Elizabeth exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace.” Luke 1:25 NLT

Elizabeth was barren. No little baby to snuggle, no sound of pattering feet through the house, no cute little giggles or sweet bedtime routine. Sometimes, when Zechariah was serving at the temple, the stillness of the house was so oppressive it brought her to tears.

As if that weren’t bad enough, she was viewed by her peers as less-than, shunned by her contemporaries as someone from whom the Lord had withheld His favor. At times, as she stood in the doorway of her home and watched the neighbors’ children play, she felt as though God had shunned her as well. God had ignored her pleas for a child – or so she thought.

Then her entire world was shaken. God, in His perfect timing, showered His blessing upon her. Shunned no more. Disgraced no longer, God’s favor, His grace was upon her. A few months later, her child would ‘leap within her’ and she herself would be filled with the Holy Spirit, God Himself within her. Her child would become known the world over. Her story of God’s grace would encourage and inspire millions.

Perhaps you’re dreading this holiday season. Everyone around you is celebrating, gathering with family and friends. The photos on social media have you crying. Perhaps you feel as though God has ‘withheld’ His favor from you, that He’s forgotten the silent cries of your soul. Take heart, my friend. God never forgets His children. He sees you, sees your pain, your ‘disgrace.’ He hears your prayers and whispers, “Hang on, my beloved child. My favor is just around the bend.”