Elizabeth and Mary were highly favored by God, but their story wasn’t always a happy one.
Elizabeth waited for decades to get pregnant in a culture where being childless was considered God’s punishment. God’s plan for her blessing always waited complete; ready to burst forth like the brilliant dawn pierces the darkness…but she didn’t know that. God had favored her, but during those decades of silence she wasn’t aware of the imminent joy.
Mary’s rejoicing waited too. Tradition says Mary lost her husband at an early age and then her child of promise was rejected, tortured and crucified before her eyes, while the world watched. No one had ever been so favored and yet her life was marked with grief and difficulty. I believe to some degree she’s still waiting to see the final victory wrought in the midst of her pain.
Both of these favored women experienced difficulty and waited to enjoy their blessing, but they waited in hope, ever mindful of God’s goodness and faithfulness. God’s favor doesn’t always mean an easy life-but the ending is always good. Our Father has selected amazing blessings for each of His children and yet those He favors sometimes wait to experience those blessings…but rest assured that the final outcome will be unbridled joy!
Father, help us to wait in hope trusting that on the last day our hearts will rightly declare; “God, You do ALL things well!” “…Blessed are all who wait for Him.” Isaiah 30:18
Pastor Sandy