Social rejection is real. And it’s painful. It comes in many different ways and to almost everybody for something. But sometimes, the rejection is worse than others.

And for Elizabeth, there was a very painful reality. One in which brought her much disgrace.

Here’s the thing though. Elizabeth and her husband were devout people. They served the Lord continuously and blamelessly, keeping his commandments. But it wasn’t enough. I’m sure people asked,

“What hidden way did you sin that God does not answer your prayers?”

“You just need to have more faith!”

“Just take some supplements and these will cure you.”

I’m sure they tried everything. It was the desire of their heart. But also it was the point of rejection from the community.

And here’s the thing. When it seemed long past the ability for God to answer prayer, they stayed faithful. It was hopeless in almost every way. But even in their pain, they did not waver. They did not grow bitter or resentful towards God. And they did not leave him or the way of rightouesness.

That is the true test of love and devotion. Who are we in relationship with God when things do not happen as the promises appear. When we do not get good and righteous longing of our hearts? When promises such as “delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart” seem to fall to the ground?

There’s something in my life like this. It has been a deep wound all my life. For many years I have not responded like Elizabeth and Zechariah. I believe I am coming around but it is has been a long journey.

Thankfully that was not the case for them. They stayed the course. They stayed faithful even in spite of their pain and disappointment.

But that was all about to change. When Zechariah went into the temple, he saw a vision. And he received the promise of what they had longed for: A baby.

It was impossible. They were old. Past the age of child bearing. But this meant they were ripe for a miracle.

When Zechariah went home, they gave it another chance together. And lo and behold, Elizabeth became pregnant. Just to be careful, she stayed in seclusion for 5 months.

And then Elizabeth says something that still rattles my heartstrings.

“The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace from among the people.”

For almost the entirety of her adult life, she knew the pain of disgrace. She saw the way people looked at her. She struggled to have conversation with other women who only knew how to talk about their children. And she cried for years as her arms ached for was not there. No matter what they attempted in their own effort, it did not happen.

But the Lord.

He saw and heard. And he did something greater than if they had ever had children young. He performed a miracle. And blessed them with a child that the Scriptures prophesied about.

Leave it to the Lord to do something out of the ordinary.

And when Elizabeth had her baby, instead of grace, they shared in her joy (Luke 1:57).

It makes me think this: The story is never over.

We may or may not ever get our miracle. We may never understand. But stay the course. God sees us. He knows our heart. He hears.

And one day maybe God will do something greater than we far ever imagined.