Ever felt like time has passed you by, and what's missing in
your life seems either unattainable or lost forever?
For Zacharias and Elisabeth this was just the case. They
were both righteous and walking in all the ways of God,
yet they had no child. She was barren, and given the custom
of that day, this was not a good thing. This could easily cause
people to form an incorrect opinion about them.
God allowed this situation to go on for a long period time,
to the point that they were both well into their senior years.
So what did they do ...
It is here, on the job, in the temple, where the angel of the
Lord meets Zacharias.
Now imagine for a moment what would have happened had
Zacharias ...
The answer is simple.
In His Word we too have the same assurance ...
God is not bound by time, but He will use time to
accomplish His purpose. Sometimes His purpose and our
purpose may not always be in agreement at the same time, so
some things really do take time because He‘s waiting on us to
catch up. Then, at the right time - He shows up.
So hold on to your faith in God and in His promises to
you. He may not always change or work out your situation
according to your schedule and plan - but one thing is certain
- and that is ... God’s Word will never fail - It is impossible
for God to lie - and - He is faithful that promised.
Scripture References:
your life seems either unattainable or lost forever?
For Zacharias and Elisabeth this was just the case. They
were both righteous and walking in all the ways of God,
yet they had no child. She was barren, and given the custom
of that day, this was not a good thing. This could easily cause
people to form an incorrect opinion about them.
God allowed this situation to go on for a long period time,
to the point that they were both well into their senior years.
So what did they do ...
- He continues to do his job in the temple of the
Lord. - He continues to seek God in prayer and
- In spite of what they DID NOT HAVE, THEY BOTH
chose to remain faithful and obedient to God and to
CONTINUE walking in all His ways.
It is here, on the job, in the temple, where the angel of the
Lord meets Zacharias.
- … the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy
prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a
son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt
have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his
birth. -- Luke Chapter 1 verses 13 & 14
Now imagine for a moment what would have happened had
Zacharias ...
- stopped going to the temple,
- stopped doing his job,
- given up for whatever the reason,
- or grown bitter and resentful toward God for not giving
him what everyone else had.
The answer is simple.
- They would have missed their blessing. For all
those years of service, instead of joy and gladness, it
would have been sorrow and grief; and eventually
they would have lost the very thing that held them
both together … the presence of God. For it was
His presence that made up for what was missing in
their life and they knew it!
In His Word we too have the same assurance ...
- But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his
righteousness; and all these things shall be added
- unto you. -- Matthew 6 verse 33
God is not bound by time, but He will use time to
accomplish His purpose. Sometimes His purpose and our
purpose may not always be in agreement at the same time, so
some things really do take time because He‘s waiting on us to
catch up. Then, at the right time - He shows up.
So hold on to your faith in God and in His promises to
you. He may not always change or work out your situation
according to your schedule and plan - but one thing is certain
- and that is ... God’s Word will never fail - It is impossible
for God to lie - and - He is faithful that promised.
Scripture References:
- Luke 1 verses 6-20, 24 & 25
- 6. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the
commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
7. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and
they both were now well stricken in years.
8. And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office
before God in the order of his course,
9. According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to
burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
10. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at
the time of incense.
11. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing
on the right side of the altar of incense.
12. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell
upon him.
13. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy
prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son,
and thou shalt call his name John.
14. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall
rejoice at his birth.
15. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink
neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy
Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
16. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord
their God.
17. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to
turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient
to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for
the Lord.
18. And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know
this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
19. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that
stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee,
and to shew thee these glad tidings.
20. And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until
the day that these things shall be performed, because thou
believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season
24. And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid
herself five months, saying,
25. Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he
looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.
For further inspiration, see also
Inspired Reading ...
Inspired Reading ...
- Notes #44 - Standing Strong in Faith
| AUDIO Notes |
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Audio Notes by Sharon Johnson | 03/2008
