Aim:
That believers may learn to faithfully wait on God in the face of trial.

INTRODUCTION: one of the most difficult parts of the Christian life is that being a disciple of christ does not make us immune to trials and tribulations. ultimate purpose for us is that we grow into the image of His Son (Romans 8:29) Everything in life, including trials and tribulations, is designed to enable us to reach that goal. It is part of the process of sanctification, being set apart for purposes and fitted to live for His glory. Trials and tribulations can either keep us from abundant life or produce in us a character that sustains abundant life. The choice is yours. The life of Elizabeth and her barrenness became a model of what Christian attitudes should be in the face of trials, as we shall see in our Studying this lesson.

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ELIZABETH AND HER CHALLENGE OF CHILDLESSNESS

• She was from the priestly line of Aaron (Luke 1:5). Elizabeth had a holy background. She was born into a priestly family in the line of Aaron. She was married to a priest. Why would God not bless her with a child? Why were her prayers not answered? And now she, like Sarah, was old. Yet, Elizabeth was faithful. Her life was saturated with love for God.

• She was righteous in God's eyes(Lul<e 1:6). She had kept the law to the letter. And not only outwardly, she was righteous before God, that is, by God's own appraisal. She had lived a
  blameless life before the Lord. She was not perfect, of
  course, but the Scriptures record not one word of reproach about her life. Still, she was barren.

• She was barren (Luke 1:7). In ancient times, barrenness was considered a disgrace. But from time to time, we see godly women demonstrate great faith in God, and God rewards them with a child. Elizabeth was such a woman. Both she and her husband Zechariah were old. She had passed child bearing years yet she conceived through the grace of God !

• She was supportive of her husband (Luke 1:6,57-64). Elizabeth was faithful. Her life was saturated with love and support for her husband. Imagine the wonder she felt when Zechariah returned home mute from serving the Lord in the temple and wrote on a tablet that an angel had visited him and that they would have a son? How I wish her response was recorded for us!

• She stood by faith in the face of trial (Hebrews 11:1, 6). Elizabeth was sad but never became bitter because of her barrenness. She had enormous faith in God. Her focus was always on the Lord, never on herself.

• She was a spirit controlled believer (Luke 1:41-43).She was spirit filled. This is seen in her understanding of what God was doing through her and through Mary, the virgin who conceived to give birth to the Saviour of the world.

IMPORTANT LESSONS FROM ELIZABETH'S LIFE AND FAITH

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• Irrespective of a believer's situation, he or she must have a good testimony with God (Luke 1:6).

• Trial and challenges of life may not necessarily be due to sin (Job 1:1-28).

• Christian couples going through the challenge of childlessness should strive to remain faithful to God (1 Samuel 1:7-20). They should believe that God will fulfill His promises (Romans 10:11).

• Christian couples should walk in agreement and have uninterrupted devotion to each other in times of trials (Amos 3:3; Colossians 3:12-17).

• Christian couples should develop their spiritual life and live a life controlled by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).

• Christian couples under trials should resist ungodly counsel from family and friends (Psalm 1:1-3). However, they should seek medical help.

Challenge: Barrenness may take many forms in life. We may even view them as judgment or punishment from God and wonder why He would inflict us with such pain. Yet, God's sovereign plan is always at work. In Elizabeth's case, He had something special in mind. The question is: Would you be faithful to God in the face of trial? We should never underestimate God's tremendous love for us. Even though Elizabeth had been barren and her time for having a baby was over, God caused her to conceive. Our God is a God of surprises. Sometimes, when we least expect it, he touches us with a miracle and our life is changed forever.

MEMORY VERSE: Luke 1:6

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