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. But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.
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As we go through life, we see inequities in our lives and in the lives of those around us. Commercials and movies point these out for us too. Someone we know has a 1) bigger house, 2) better job and/or 3) takes more exotic vacations. And then in a more personal space, things like losing a parent, spouse or kid early in life or having a disease cripple and take away the functionality of a person can be tough. Some of us have come from abusive and/or destructive home-life situations. In all of these situations and throughout the rest of our lives, we have a choice to make. We can either blame God and become permanently angry, bitter, or jaded in life, or we can recognize that though this world is sinful and has much pain — WE SERVE A GOOD GOD. We can hang onto that truth.

When I read the info at the top of this intro to Zechariah and Elizabeth, I see that they had been childless for most of their lives, yet they were righteous. This means that through this massive disappointment for them, they remained faithful and trusted the Lord. God was not judging them; they were, according to the Jewish law, considered perfect. It was just one of the trials they faced in life, and they continued to serve God in spite of it. They worked through the heartache and the doubt, the bitterness and the unfairness (as hard as it was), and they remained true to their Rock in life — the God of the universe.

What hardship have you been given that tempts you to blame God or others for it? How can you work through this hardship in a way that honors God and keeps you faithful to him? Who can you bring around you and/or reach out to, who will walk with you in the ups and downs of life?

Thank you, Father, for caring about the scars and the hurt we experience in this life. You understand. You love us too. Help me to trust you more and look for YOUR WORK AMIDST THE STRUGGLE. Teach me to be tenaciously faithful to you!