“This is what the Lord has done for me when He looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people” (Lk. 1.25).

I love the Gospel of Luke. He patiently tells the important stories that illustrate the kind of God who would send His own Son into the world to save sinful and confused people. Thanks to Luke we can appreciate the fact that God’s great act was an act of sheer grace. He looks at needy people and He loves them. He sees their problems and He knows that everyone is a part of a web of circumstances beyond their control, and that life for some people is extremely difficult. As problems go, being unable to have children is not the worst. But Elizabeth likely lived under the suspicion of divine disfavor because of her barrenness, and that made a frustrating situation even more painful. And it went on for years. Finally, after she had prayed, and perhaps was close to giving up hope, she conceived. God had looked upon her in favor at last! Every one of us should feel encouraged by this story. We all have problems. We are all products of a broken world in which there is infertility and a host of other things that God did not intend His children to have to suffer through. And in case you have not noticed, you are getting older. We tend to not think too much about the problems old people have, because they are old — and well, what do you expect? When you are old you are supposed to have problems! But aren’t you glad to know that God does not dismiss Elizabeth’s plight just because she is old. She is important to God, and she has a place in His plan. As I get older I think about Elizabeth’s faith and her persistence. God worked in a mighty way through her persistent faith. He still does these things in ways that suit His purposes. Eyes of faith see His work and miracles of grace. And as we count the years, God does not count us out. He still blesses those who trust Him no matter how old we are. — Wonder what God’s plans are for you? …

Michael Case

Seward Church of Christ

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Christ we love and Christ we serve.