“But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.”
One thing I have observed over the years as a Christian is the frustration Christians faced when prayers seemed to be unanswered or delayed per our own timing and understanding. Personally, there are times I just pray a simple prayer and gets an instant answer. Also, there are prayers I have prayed for years and no answer yet. Would I say God is not fair? Not at all from my experience with God. He remains God in every situation. His character does not change with time nor circumstances. He alone is always God, in everything, everyplace, and in every situation.
Are you in that place where you are waiting on God and it seems God has closed the heaven? Have you been praying for something and you are at the point where you have given up? Are you at that point where you say with your mouth God is in control, but you are not praying and in your heart, there is doubt?
“In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.” Luke 1:5-7
Let’s look at Luke 1:5-7 in details.
Zacharias was a priest in the house of God. Elizabeth came from the household of Aron; she had a priestly background. Both were righteous. Both observed God’s commands and decrees. Both were blameless; meaning there was no fault in them. From these characteristics, we can conclude that they served God wholeheartedly. However, BOTH WERE OLD and CHILDLESS.
This is a couple who were genuinely serving God, yet had no child? They were in their old ages but still serving God and waiting for their miracle. I can only imagine how long they had been praying and waiting on God. What could have been the story about them in their community? They were serving others and probably praying for others and their miracle came forth but for them, nothing was happening. Can you just imagine what even the believers in their own church may have said about them? What kind of sin did they commit that God had punished them? Put yourself in their shoes for a moment. How would you handle this? Stop serving God or continue to serve Him? Curse God and die like Job’s wife told Job to do? Stop going to church? Stop praying?
Such problems are very common today; childlessness, marital problems, divorce, wayward children, financial issues, joblessness, health issues, inherited bondages etc. We must make a choice to walk with and wait on God irrespective of life challenges.
What Can We Learn from this Couple?
There is no record that this couple gambled with their problem. They were serving God in the mist of their problem. Age was not a barrier to serving God. Life is not fair and so we must demand that fairness by our engagement in a nonstop deep prayers and walking righteously before God. God has our time and season in his hands. We serve a God of impossibility. Age was not a barrier to God’s power, likewise whatever you are going through cannot also be a barrier to God’s promises and power. The barrier is when we give up. Do not give up trusting God. By this I am not talking about the prayer at your breakfast. I mean spending quality time in your prayer closet until you get a breakthrough.
“But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.”
In the verse above, the angle said your prayer, in reference to a specific request (child). He even had a name for the child; John who will prepare the way for Jesus. What a wonderful thing to have waited for? This faithful couple did not just fold their hands, they waited and prayed in the place of service. Where will your angel of visitation find you? In the place of complains, gambling, reluctancy, giving up, laziness, and I don’t care anymore? It’s a choice that we must make for our angel of visitation to find us at the altar of service, prayer, praise, worship, and thanksgiving.
Do not allow life challenges to become a stumbling block to your breakthrough. Continue to trust God till your last breath or till you get an answer. Giving up is not an option. Psalm 46:1-3 states that “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” Keep on keeping on for God is still on the throne.
Prayer Points:
Father have mercy on me as I confess any negative thing that have replaced my unanswered prayers in the name of Jesus.
Father I ask for the grace to pray and remain on my knees until you speak to me in the name of Jesus.
I stand on the word of God in Psalm 46: 1-3 to encourage myself in Jesus mighty name.
I connect my faith with that of Zachariah and Elizabeth to stand firm and hold unto God until my breakthrough comes forth in Jesus name.
Blessings!
Ennette Heaggans