Lately, something upsetting has happened to me in ministry… and I feel duped.  Worse yet, the enemy taunts me with the thought that it’s God who duped me.

My husband and my team know the circumstances – all very godly people.  Yet, even in their eyes, I fear they too think, “Man, she’s been duped.”

I wonder if Elizabeth and Zechariah, John the Baptist’s parents felt the same way?  They were doing everything they knew to do – wholeheartedly following the Lord, yet Elizabeth was barren.  Jewish homes were meant for children.  The fact that God had not blessed Elizabeth’s womb, most certainly led people to think they were cursed and that their godly lifestyle was in vain.

Yet, Scripture says, that’s not how God saw them. 

How God saw in Elizabeth and Zechariah?                     What their friends and family saw?
     Upright                                                                                       Cursed
     Righteous                                                                                    Disgraced
     Pleased with them                                                                       God punishing them

Often, our circumstances can make us feel abandoned, dissed or thrown under the bus by God.  Yet, when our conscience is clear before Him, you and I must choose to stand firm on what Scripture says  – not on how we feel or how bad our circumstances may seem.  Because…

• God is faithful to the faithful – (Psalm 18:25)
• The one who looks to Him will never be put to shame. (Romans 9:33)
• We know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.  (Romans 8:28) 

Elizabeth and Zechariah trusted the Lord despite what others thought and despite the depth of grief in their circumstances. 

Is this the end of the story?  NO! 

At the “proper time”, a miracle occurred!   God miraculously intervened!  (Dare I say, finally!)    God did something only He could do!  He opened Elizabeth’s womb in her old age, and she became pregnant. “The Lord has done this for me,” she said.  “He has shown His favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”  Luke 1:25

Yes, I feel duped and yes, I feel thrown under the bus.  But I resolve to stand firm trusting in the Lord, knowing that at the proper time, He will intervene in a way that can only be Him.  And He will receive all the glory!

Do you feel duped?  If your conscience is clear, stand firm.  At the proper time, God will intervene.

Knowing God Ministries
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Next Post:

• Luke 1:26-38  Mary’s encounter with the angel, Gabriel. 
• Trusting the Lord with the consequences of our obedience –
• Trusting the Lord with our husbands –