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Last week we dove right into the Christmas story, starting with the angel Gabriel visiting young Mary to deliver the message that God had chosen her to be the mother of His Son, the Messiah, the Savior of the World. Things were happening fast for Mary. But for her cousin, Elizabeth, her prayers to God seemed to be delayed.
Before Gabriel visited Mary in Nazareth, he visited Elizabeth’s husband, Zechariah, in Jerusalem. Elizabeth and Zechariah were much older than Mary and Joseph. In fact, the Bible tells us Elizabeth was past child bearing years. Though Zechariah and Elizabeth had earnestly prayed for years to have children, it seemed as if their prayers were unanswered. And now, in their old age, they had finally given up hope for a child of their own.
But God wasn’t finished yet. One day as Zechariah stood before the altar of incense at the Temple of Jerusalem, the angel Gabriel stood before him, announcing how God had heard his prayers and soon he and Elizabeth would have a son. Their son would be no average child. He would “go before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah.” (Luke 1:17) Their son would be the forerunner of the promised Messiah, sent to prepare the hearts of the people for the coming of the One who would set Israel free from all of her enemies. But this news seemed too strange for Zechariah. He had so many questions.
But the angel was very clear that God had sent him to Zechariah to tell him his “prayers have been heard.” What prayers?
For sure these were not prayers Zechariah had prayed that morning. These were prayers that had been prayed years before, seemingly unanswered prayers. But now, at the right time, God was answering Zechariah and Elizabeth’s prayers for a son.
God doesn’t lose our prayers, or forget about them. Our prayers are very precious to Him. But His timing is very different from ours.
Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” (Luke 1:18)
It was too much for Zechariah to take in at one time. He asked for a sign that these things were true. (As if an archangel standing in front of him delivering the message wasn’t proof enough!) But the angel told him, “You will not be able to speak another word until after this promised son is born.”
I think this “sign” served more than one purpose. First it signified that this was indeed a miracle. God was a work.
It also kept Zechariah from negating the miracle God was trying to bring into their lives. Our words are powerful. Words full of fear and doubt do not bring life, but death.
Proverbs 18:21 says, “ Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” (ESV)
How many times does God want to do something new in our lives, something good, something we’ve asked of Him, but with our words we limit our ability to receive good things.
We say things like: “I could never do that.” “That would never happen.” “That’s just too good to be true.” And so it is.
God isn’t going to force good things on us. He wants us to believe in His goodness as we trust His ways and His timing.
Soon Elizabeth was expecting her first child. God was doing something new and exciting in the lives of this faithful couple.
Elizabeth says, “The Lord has done this for me. In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.” (Luke 1:25)
In Elizabeth’s day, being blessed with many children was seen as the Lord’s favor upon your life, His mark of approval. The opposite was also true. Not being able to have any children was seen as a disgrace, a reproach, the consequence of a life not pleasing to God.
But Luke was careful to point out that “both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.” (Luke 1:6)
Zechariah and Elizabeth were faithful to God even when the world judged them as unfaithful. They continued to be obedient and honor God, even when it seemed He had withheld the blessing of children from them and ignored their prayers. They continued to serve Him well when they didn’t receive the answer to their prayers.
Like Mary, they carried a shame that was not their own. While the others judged them, God saw their heart. They were faithful when it seemed like God had ignored their prayers. They continued to serve Him well when they didn’t receive the one prayer they prayed for the longest and hardest.
God was doing something different. God was crafting a special home and family for John. He was an only child by design. Perhaps God knew John would need the undivided attention of his mother and father. His parents were old enough to be his grandparents. Perhaps God knew John would need all the wisdom Zechariah and Elizabeth had collected over their many years of loving and serving Him. Whatever His reasons, God knew the family John would need, and he designed a unique home just for him.
Maybe your family doesn’t look picture-perfect. Maybe it looks less than “ideal.” What if God knew the kind of mom your kids would need so He chose you because of the difficult things you’ve been through, not despite them?
Precious one, God knows what He’s doing. He hasn’t forgotten you or ignored your prayers. Even when you give up on Him, He hasn’t given up on you. He’s still working. Your shortcomings do not limit Him. If you are willing, nothing can stop His plan for your life.
© Audrey McCracken, 2024
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