“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!  – Luke 1:42

The two women again, each needing affirmation. Elizabeth and Mary, both carrying babies under extraordinary circumstances, and not knowing who to tell! Who would believe that an old woman, well past child-bearing age; with one foot standing in the grave, could have the other firmly planted in the delivery room? Ridiculous! “Look at that old lady,” they may have gossiped. “She wants us to believe she is pregnant. How people can deceive themselves!” “Will somebody tell her to go get rid of that fibroid?” That’s what Elizabeth had become – a public ridicule! So, for five months of her pregnancy, she remained in seclusion (Lk. 1:24). What she needed most then was someone who could believe her; someone to throw her arms around her and whisper in an assuring tone, “I believe you”.

There comes a time when all we need is someone to believe – someone to affirm us. You may be going through such a painful time right now. You have been misquoted and misinterpreted. You have been neglected and shunned as ridiculous. You have become a laughing stock among your friends and family. You are losing it and thinking of the unthinkable. If only you are standing on the side of truth, don’t give up. The day is coming when you will laugh again. Divine help is on the way, and you will be encouraged. That day came for Elizabeth one gloomy day.

Mary, her relative from the town of Nazareth came to visit. It was no ordinary visit. She shared the same burden Elizabeth carried in her seclusion – public ridicule. The top buzz around town was, “Today’s young girls, they can’t keep themselves pure. How could she be pregnant when she is not married?” “Could that be Joseph’s doing? that sneaky old man”, someone said. “No, it can’t be him. I can bet you a hundred shekels that it’s one of those young men. Those little rascals”, said another. “She never liked that betrothal anyway”. With such talk, they may have chewed on her all-day long. Who would believe her story? How could a virgin be with child? Are they saying such things about you? Be sure that you are not alone. Someone else may be going through the same, or worse somewhere. The best part is that God is with you and will bring you in touch with a comforter soon. That’s what Mary’s visit to Elizabeth was all about – for the two to affirm and encourage each other.

You see, when you stand on the side of truth, heaven affirms you. Let everybody condemn you, God has someone who shares your story; one who has been through your crucible and knows how you feel. That’s what Jesus has become for us now – a Great High Priest who has suffered all we suffer and feels our pain (Heb. 4:15). Through Him, divine help is ordained, and your affirmation comes soon.

At Mary’s approach, the Holy Spirit filled Elizabeth. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? … Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her!” (Lk. 1:42-45)

Maybe you need someone to believe you, but maybe you too could say a kind word to somebody today. A simple, “I believe you”, may suffice. Perhaps, you’re God’s appointed minister to that person. And as you do that, may the Lord affirm you in His own way!