A special piece of Jesus’ life on earth includes the birth of another man named John (also known as John the Baptist). His birth is foretold in Luke 1:5-25. John’s parents were Zechariah and Elizabeth. 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.
Zechariah was a priest and was chosen to burn incense at the temple of the Lord. While burning incense at the altar, Gabriel, an angel of the Lord, appeared to him and said, “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. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
Gabriel made it clear that God had answered their cries to God for a child. Yet Zechariah’s response was, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” I probably would have responded in the same way. It didn’t make sense for an old couple to have a baby. Doubt…the question of how?...this sounds crazy…these are my first thoughts. Since Zechariah was a priest, he definitely should have known quite well the story of Abraham and Sarah. They had their son, Isaac, when they were well into “retirement” age. They also were filled with doubt, but God did everything exactly as He said He would do it. With an example like this, one would think Zechariah would have responded with, “YES, Lord, I believe this will happen as You said it would. Thank You for answering my prayers!” Because Zechariah did not believe, God closed his mouth, making him unable to speak until the day of John’s birth.
After Zechariah returned home from the temple, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant, just as God had said. Her response was, “The Lord has done this for me. In these days, He has shown His favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
Zechariah doubted, but Elizabeth believed. God heard the prayers of both Zechariah and Elizabeth. God spoke to Zechariah through an angel and to Elizabeth by allowing her to become pregnant at an old age. Zechariah questioned God on how He would be able to do such a thing as make an old couple pregnant. Elizabeth expressed her belief that God had done this. Zechariah did not understand why this was happening and why now at such an old age. Elizabeth did not ask why now. She just recognized that God had shown His favor and answered her cries for a child of her own.
What do I take from this story?
God hears my prayers.
God speaks to me through the Bible, quietly in my own prayer times, through other people, through visions, dreams, and angels, through whatever means it takes for me to hear Him.
I can believe what He tells me is true.
God is always looking out for me and my best interests…in the perfect time.
What’s in it for you?
Do you know God is listening to you?
Are you listening for His answer?
Do you trust His answer?
Do you know how much He cares about you and your desires…and when it’s best for such desires to be fulfilled?
Don’t doubt…just believe!
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