“Zechariah and Elizabeth truly did what God said was good. They did everything the Lord commanded and were without fault in keeping His law. But they had no children, because Elizabeth could not have a baby, and both of them were very old.” Luke 1:6-7 NCV.
This couple had all the spiritual credentials. Zechariah was a priest. He was a descendent of one of the priest that the mighty King David had appointed. Elizabeth, his wife, heritage belonged to the very first High Priest, Aaron, the brother of Moses. Now tack on another little fact, this couple truly did what God said was good. They walked blamelessly before God. The Message Bible says they enjoyed a clear conscience before God. But…
They had empty arms. Elizabeth had never held a baby that she herself had birthed. They had waited a long time for a baby to be sent to them. Now old, elderly and beyond hope of becoming pregnant, it must have seemed to them that God had let their prayer request slip through the heavenly cracks. Of all the faithful in Israel at this time, this couple’s prayers would surely have reached the throne room of God. They were faithful servant’s of the Lord’s. Why didn’t they hear the pitter patter of little foot steps through out their home? They must have prayed for a child since the early days of their marriage. Had their prayers fallen on deaf ears?
Have you ever felt that way before?
Have you felt that your prayers weren’t rising above the ceiling?
Surely God had turned a deaf ear to you because you weren’t faithful enough?
At times I act like my answers from God are based upon my own works. How wrong is that assumption?
“Because He bends down to listen. I will pray as long as I have breath.” Psalm 116:2
God bends down to listen to prayer. Let that paint a mental picture for you.
When I am broken and on my knees pleading for an answer, God cups His ear and leans down and listens. And I mean He really listens!
In His infinite wisdom and His perfect plan God answers prayers based not on our goodness but because of His goodness. He is righteous, holy, mighty, merciful, and wise He answers our prayer in His way and in His timing.
I would love to hear back from each of you.
Do you have what seems like unanswered prayer?
What promises from Zechariah and Elizabeth’s story can you carry away and store in your heart when the enemy comes and brings accusations to your thoughts?
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#throughtheireyes
I’ve had a prayer request that’s going on almost 2 years ago several times through out the waiting time I’ve wanted to take matters into my own hands and try to fix this problem and evertyime I’ve got close to going in this direction God sends someone or something, a person or a devotional or a word from a friend or stranger to reassure me that he has heard my prayer and in His timing He will answer me. I’ve learned that thru the waiting is the time He works on me and gets me prepared for His answer which will be perfect and true.
Yes and I pray in agreement with you. At times the waiting is exhausting. But Zechariah and Elizabeth’s story is filled with my promises
Thanks for the reminder that are prayers are always heard even when they remain unanswered.
Right now I’m clinging to that promise
I am praying for Zayleigh to come back into my life. She is the daughter of my daughters ex husband and when they divorced I lost the opportunity to see her. She needs me and I need her.
Oh Lord thank you for bending down and listening to our hearts cry