Luke chapter 1 verses 5 – 6 (NIV)
In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.
Luke chapter 1 verses 23 – 25 (NIV)
When his time of service was completed, he returned home. After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favour and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
Luke tells us in his account that Zechariah and Elizabeth were both righteous, following all God’s commands and decrees blamelessly. They lived out their faith as an example to others. Yet we see in Elizabeth’s praise to the Lord, that in the eyes of others, her childlessness was seen as a disgrace. How hard it must have been then for Elizabeth, yet regardless of this she kept her life right before God. In the fullness of time this would be rewarded when she least expected it.
We too must guard our testimony regardless of what people think of us. The most important thing is to make sure we live our lives right in God’s eyes.
Dear Lord,
It’s easy to get impacted by other people’s opinions of us. Help me to keep my focus on doing what is right in Your eyes, no matter what anyone else thinks. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.