What Jesus Did! 'Taking Away Disgrace' — Luke 1:24-25

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Soon [after the angel told Zechariah that he and his wife would have a child,] Elizabeth became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months. "How kind the Lord is!" she exclaimed. "He has taken away my disgrace of having no children."
— Luke 1:24-25 NLT

Key Thought

God's passion is to take away our disgrace - the disgrace of our failure, our misfortune, and our sin, and yes, even the disgrace of circumstances. Elizabeth's being childless was a circumstance beyond her control but still considered a disgrace by many people in her time and her culture. While being childless is no longer considered to be a disgrace in some cultures, you may have some circumstance that is considered to be a disgrace by others or even by yourself. As the old hymn goes, "Bring Christ your broken life ... He will create anew, make whole again." [1] What disgrace, disappointment, or disaster do you still have that is holding back your life? Why not openly confess it and the feelings that it fosters within you, and ask God to take it away?

[1] Romans 6:3-4 ESV.

Today's Prayer

Holy God, I thank you for the gift of memory and the ability to remember wonderful, joyous, and pleasant times in my life. However, dear Father, there are some memories in my life that I let Satan use to hold me back and keep me down. Please take away the disgrace of my past and heal those memories so that I will be strengthened by the experiences of the past and not be debilitated by them. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

3 Related Resources by Heartlight

New Life, Fresh Hope, and New Beginnings
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Disciple, Over the last month, you have been reminded of My birth and how My coming changed everything. I came at God's chosen time. Political....."
Not Forgotten in the Bigger Story
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Precious One, The heart of our Father was beautifully revealed through the prophet Isaiah:For this is what the high and exalted One says —..."
Season of Joy
Article by Phil Ware
Can you find the joy right now? Phil Ware reminds us of the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, lived out in hard times, when God did the glorious and amazing things and longs to do them again in our day.

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 1:24-25 NLT — "How kind the Lord is!" —— "He has taken away my disgrace of having no children."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Good Spiritual Health' (3)
"Dear friend, I know that you are spiritually well. I pray that you’re doing well in every other way and that you’re healthy. I was very happy when..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Psalm 91:1
"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
James 5:19-20
"My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will...."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'I Cling to You' (Ps. 63:6-8)
"I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night. Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings. I cling to..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!