Righteous in God's eyes - Disgrace in Man's eyes - Luke 1-2

Elizabeth was, according to Luke 1:6 "righteous" in the eyes of God. Her and her husband kept the laws of the Lord and had a "perfect" walk before him. However, Elizabeth was barren. Barrenness in the Biblical times was like a curse. Womanhood and manhood were viewed through the eyes of children. If you didn't have a few little ones hanging around you feet the opinion of you in the class of the world was low. In 1:25 Elizabeth was actually held in disgrace before God gave her John the Baptist in her womb. What an example of how the world works and how God works. God had declared her righteous based upon her faith, demonstrated by her obedience. We know that righteousness is of faith since that is what Romans 4-6 teaches us. So we know that Elizabeth was a women of faith. In the eyes of the Maker of the Universe she was righteous. That is all that matters. However, in the eyes of man, who have a different standard in life, she is a disgrace. The world has a standard that is incredibly and completely missing the mark. God rewards those who put their faith in Him and does not judge man by standards imposed by the world. When we judge our success in life we tend to do the same thing. We think our life is going good or bad based upon circumstances or outcomes or material-laden-possessions. But, it is not what we own or produce that causes us to have a standing before God. Our standing before God is based upon our faith in His saving righteousness. God is here to save based upon our faith in Him and rewards our faith in His time and His way. God is not judging us by the standards of the world - whether we have kids or don't have kids - whether we have kids who behave or don't behave. God is in the process of making us new in Him. Rejoice in His righteousness.