Looked Down On

Looked Down On

Bible: Luke 1:18-25

Reading

[God] has shown his favour and taken away my disgrace among the people (V.25).

Do you ever feel like your parents or teachers don’t think you’re doing well enough? Maybe you’re not as sporty as your friends, or always get worse grades than your older brother or sister. If you know how it feels to have people look down on you, then you can sympathise with Elizabeth.

Elizabeth didn’t have any children, even though she’d been married for many years. In her culture, that was seen as a sign that God wasn’t pleased (SEE 1 SAMUEL 1:5-6) and would have meant that others looked down on her and judged her. So while Elizabeth had been living a good life (LUKE 1:6), her neighbours and relatives may have thought she was hiding some kind of dark secret.

Elizabeth and her husband continued to follow God faithfully. Then, when they both were getting quite old, God stepped in. He heard Elizabeth’s prayer (V.13). He showed her His “favour” (V.25).

Even though God may sometimes seem slow in answering our prayers, His timing is always right and His wisdom always perfect. For Elizabeth and her husband, God had a special gift: a child who would make the way for Jesus (ISAIAH 40:3-5).

Do you feel small in your family or circle of friends? Keep living for Him faithfully and waiting patiently for Him and His plan, just as Elizabeth did. No matter what’s going on or what others think of us, God is working in and through us. He knows your needs. He hears your prayers.

KEEP LIVING FOR HIM AND WAITING
PATIENTLY FOR HIS PLAN.

Youth Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries