“In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.” (Luke 1:5-7)

Elizabeth could not have a child. In her day, barrenness represented displeasure from God, punishment because of wrong. Being barren carried with it deep social shame, hardship, and spiritual heaviness. Yet Zechariah and Elizabeth had done nothing wrong. In fact, Elizabeth modeled a life of faithfulness to God and walked in righteousness before Him. Rather than remaining in her shame, she accepted the life God offered and chose to move forward with Him.

At just the right time, God favored Elizabeth with a child. She would be the perfect mother for John, the man who would proclaim the coming of our Messiah. With John the Baptist’s coming birth, it was time for the Savior to come to earth. Elizabeth felt blessed because God turned His favor toward her in her barrenness. Greater blessing would come as she confessed Jesus as Lord at the sound of Mary’s voice.

“And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” (Luke 1:43-45)

The Savior of the world had come, and God chose her to be a part of that plan! The years of shame fell away as she humbly acknowledged the blessing God had bestowed on her. Years of wondering and doubt swept away as her deep faith in God overflowed with praise.

Facing trials in our life may cause us to wonder and doubt. Have we missed something causing God’s displeasure? A difficult marriage, job loss, friction with our children, division with friends, or cancer may cause us to wonder what we have done wrong. We question His goodness and feel heaviness in our spirit. However, difficulties are not always the result of sin in our lives. Although God does use some trials we face to show us sin and bring us back to Him, sometimes the hard we face is an essential part of His plan. There is a part yet to be played in His time and in His way.

If a search shows you are following God with your whole heart, accept the life He has given. Don’t stay stuck in your circumstances but instead let your situation draw you closer to Him. Move forward with God and trust His plan. Live a life of faithfulness and walk each day

in obedience to Him. Maybe blessing won’t come with a change in your circumstances, but blessing comes in knowing His presence, being continually surrounded by His love, and being a part of the plan He created for you. He favors you with Himself, and the blessings that come from being used by God will cause your heart to overflow with His praise.