One of the hardest things as humans is to wait at all, much less to wait patiently. Often when we pray, we want God to fix everything, immediately. Certainly, we do not want to hear, “God is stretching your faith or teaching you to wait patiently!” We just do not want to be told that. Yet, God always has a purpose. Both in His waiting and in allowing us to go through the storm. Sometimes it is hard for us to see. It was hard for Zacharias.
Year after year he performed his duties as priest. He so wanted to have a child. His wife Elizabeth was barren. I am certain as a priest, people whispered that perhaps something was not right in his life. Having children was a symbol in that day of God’s favor. So, Elizabeth went about her duties as wife, while the gossipers whispered. Perhaps they grew accustomed to this; but still an inner sadness was there. Were they not faithful to God? Luke tells us:
they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years. (Luke 1:6-7)
So how were they to wait patiently?
Remaining Faithful while Waiting
8 So it was, that while he (Zecharias) was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, [c]his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. (LIKE 1).
He continued his duties faithfully. Which is a key in waiting patiently. Keep doing that which is right and keep studying.
11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. (Luke 1)
Note: angels are not these meek, gentle looking creatures that we try to present them as. Instead, they are awe inspiring, magnificently powerful creatures that invoke fear within anyone who sees one.
Believing God Really Cares
Yes, we often speak of God caring. We shout out words of praise even we forced to wait patiently. Afterall what else can we do? We cannot change the circumstances ourselves. We say we believe God is in control. But do we really believe it?
13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘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.” Luke 1
The depth of doubt now shown forth. All the years of agony and waiting were evident. He knew God had done this for Abraham. Furthermore, he knew that God had answered the prayers of Hannah when she was ready to dedicate her son back to God. Her son was Samuel, who went on to be one of Israel’s greatest judges who served God faithfully. He even anointed both King Saul and King David. Note: two books of the Bible are his.
Now when the angel suggested the same type of miracle was about to take place in his life, he doubted.
God’s faithfulness inspite of our doubt
18 And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”
19 And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you [d]these glad tidings. 20 But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”
21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. 22 But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless.
23 So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. 24 Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”
(LUKE 1)
How do we wait patiently for God, in the storm?
Yesterday’s lesson pointed out securities of God’s Sovereign Control over all. We must first remember He IS and He rewards those who diligently seek Him. He knows what is best and has a plan that is bigger than you or I. His plan has been to declare His Son’s Glory to all who will listen. Sometimes that requires we wait patiently, that His glory might be displayed. And sometimes that means we are left in the storm, that all His plans might be accomplished. When we do not understand, we can trust His Heart.
John the Baptist was the one foretold of in Isaiah 40:3.
The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make straight [a]in the desert
A highway for our God.”
So, while it may have appeared God was silent during Zechariah’s storm, He was not. His plan was to give Zechariah and Elizabeth the blessing of their son being that voice. Note from inside the womb, the Holy Spirit was with John the Baptist. Something that should have given encouragement and hope to his parents. Besides that, they were going to see the Messiah. How amazing is that! Should not that encourage us to wait patiently even in the storms of life.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
So, regardless of how tumultuous the storm may appear, God is in control. The moment He says, “Be still” the storm will stop. When He does not, we know He has a perfect plan in the midst of that storm to bring good. We can therefore wait patiently, knowing the wondrous gift. He is coming again and we will see Him face to face. Oh how I long to see His face; but I will wait patiently because I trust in His Love for me. After all He gave everything to make me His own. For that I love Him as my greatest treasure.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2020
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
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New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.