NEVER STOP PRAYING
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron. Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old. One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying. While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.”
Luke 1:5-17 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
In recent years there has been a move in the entertainment industry to offer us prequels to some of the most popular movies and television programs. The interest in the original story sparks an interest in what happened before that story.
Today we read the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth. Elizabeth was a relative of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Zechariah is a priest serving in the Temple when he receives an angelic visitor.
We don’t know for certain if this is the same angel that visited Mary and Joseph later in the Christmas story, but many believe it was the angel Gabriel in all three instances. His appearance was a major part of the Christmas story.
It should be noted that Zechariah and Elizabeth were without children because she couldn’t bear children. In the Jewish community a woman without children was often viewed with social stigmas and personal shame. Having children was considered a sign of divine favor, prosperity, and fulfillment of God’s blessings.
Zechariah and Elizabeth remained faithful to the Lord even when they could not conceive a child. Our passage says they were “righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations.”
It is easy to obey when you are blessed by your obedience. But can we obey when we don’t see God working? Can we be faithful to worship and the Word even when we don’t see the answers to our prayers?
I believe Zechariah and Elizabeth prayed many prayers for a child. Perhaps for years. Maybe, after so many years they gave up on having a child. But they remained faithful even without the answer they wanted.
God’s timing is not always our timing. His ways are not always our ways. But God does hear our prayers. He does respond. He does know what is best for our lives.
Scripture tells us, “Never stop praying.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 NLT) We can be faithful in asking even when we don’t understand the delay or the plan of God.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit help me in the times of confusion, disappointment, and frustration to continue to be righteous and faithful. Help me to keep believing.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”
What God cannot do does not exist .