Scripture Reading: Luke 1:5-25, Luke 1:57-79
Who among us hasn’t wondered if God really hears our prayers? My five-year-old son recently asked me this—“I can’t see Jesus. So what if he’s not listening to me? And what if I pray for no bad dreams, but I have one?” On more than one occasion, he has asked that we pray for a second or third time, just in case Jesus missed it the first time around.
I thought of my son and this important question as I meditated on the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth. Luke begins by telling us that both Zechariah and Elizabeth were “righteous in God’s sight, living without blame” (Luke 1:6). What an introduction! These two were as faithful as they come. And yet, their lives were characterized by daily heartache. Every day that Elizabeth went to the well or Zechariah to the market, they’d pass the throngs of children who were playing, singing, and working. And every day they’d be reminded of what they did not have.
It’s a good reminder for us all: Even the righteous suffer hardship in this life. Our sufferings need not be indicative that there is something wrong with our relationship with God. So often we jump to unhealthy conclusions that if we’re going through something difficult or painful, then God must be angry with us. But Elizabeth and Zechariah were righteous in God’s sight and still endured decades of hardship and sadness. God wasn’t angry with them. In fact, He was with them every step of the way (as we’ll see in this story).
When Zechariah entered the temple on his appointed day of service, the angel that met him spoke the words that so many of our hearts need to hear: “Your prayer has been heard” (Luke 1:13).
Now, remember: Zechariah is old, well past normal childbearing years. And yet, evidently he and his wife had not given up praying for a child. What a remarkable faith they must have had to believe that their God could still deliver their greatest hope! They were still praying, and God was still listening.
But more than one prayer was being answered here. In Luke 1:10, we are told that “the whole assembly of the people was praying outside.” What do you think they were praying for? What was the single greatest prayer of Zechariah’s peers and indeed the whole people of Israel? They longed for God to come to them and bring His promised Kingdom. The salvation of God’s people was their prayer. And when Gabriel showed up that day in the temple, he brought a word of comfort to the priest and his wife but also to the whole nation. Their prayer had been heard, for God had “raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David” (Luke 1:69).
The birth of John is cause for joy, but the coming of Jesus is cause for worship.
Written by Collin Ross
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19 thoughts on "Zechariah and Elizabeth"
I am amazed every time I read Gods Word. It always speaks to me in ways I never thought of. It is alive and active! I love you Father!
Although I haven’t been posting much lately, I’m here daily and praying along with all of you. Today I have a prayer request. I previously had requested prayer for my husband’s cousin’s son who had multiple medical problems and hospitalizations. Sadly 15-year-old boy Kailand went to be with Jesus last week. His funeral is on Thursday. It was a miracle he lived as long as life as he did. He had heart surgery multiple times, even when he was only a few days old. But that makes the loss no easier. Asking for prayers for his family who are deeply grieving.
I stand, sit, kneel in awe of You, Lord, Almighty God.
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Even in Z’s righteous walk with God, he still didn’t initially trust the words of Gabriel to be truth.
Zacharias – How shall I know this?
Vs
Mary – How can this be, since I do not know a man?
– Z questioning whether the words are truth
– M wondering about how the process will work
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‘So they made signs to his father’ – this is a puzzler to me as he was rendered mute, not deaf. Reminder for communicating and interacting with anyone with a disability (or their preferred terminology) – no assumptions.
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The prophecy proclaimed by Z through the work of the Holy Spirit, woohoo!
Luke 1:
76 “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest;
For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,
77 To give knowledge of salvation to His people
By the remission of their sins,
78 Through the tender mercy of our God,
With which the Dayspring (Messiah) from on high has visited (shall visit) us;
79 To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
To guide our feet into the way of peace.”
*footnotes included in parentheses
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SHARON JERSEY GIRL – praying for wisdom and guidance not only in what to say, but also whether to speak (in person if possible) in addressing this issue with the little one’s mom. Praying for you, Jeff and congregation to be able to tune out the disruption if you feel guided not to speak at this time. Agreeing that if you are led to speak up, that you will be able to offer a solution of letting her know if he needs help in nursery, or help from you/others as needed. Really praying for wisdom here.
MERCY – so beautiful! Resonates with me even though I am SO not a gardener.
TERESA DONLEY – thankful for Amanda’s successful surgery and praying for complete recovery (and following dr instructions) ❤️
DONNA WOLCOTT – praying, sister, for Matt’s recovery, for his lung to drain properly, for his spirits to stay up as his body heals.
CEE GEE – “all that He endured ….was done out of love for us” ❤️❤️❤️
TAYLOR – good to see you and thank you for the update. Praying for your dad as he continues to heal.
LYNNE FROM AL ❤️
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Request for wisdom in rehab location assigned for recovering family member
Father forgive my doubt, reward my faith. You are with me in the valleys and the mountains. You hold me in Your victorious right hand. You will not leave or forsake me. Your goodness and mercy follow me all the days of my life. I am so undeserving and so grateful. Thank you Jesus for making a way when there was no way. Amen
DONNA WOLCOTT – Thanking God your son made it to the hospital and for his partner; praying for his pain and health; praying for the loved ones around him, taking this journey with him.
SHARON J GIRL – praying for your discussion (never easy) and that it leads to something that works for the parents and the rest of the congregation equally. I agree that this is definitely an in-person conversation.
TAYLOR – praising and praying for Dad
Zechariah & Elizabeth
A story of quiet faith,
Honest doubts,
And ultimate Joy!
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Their story tells me:
God sees
God acts
God includes us in His plans
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You are the God who hears long-held prayers. You are the One who brings life to barren places. You fulfill promises, even after years of silence.
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Help me trust You in the waiting. Where my heart has grown weary, breathe hope. Where I’ve carried quiet shame or disappointment, speak Your healing grace. When I struggle to believe, remind me that You are faithful even when I am uncertain.
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Just as You used their lives for something far greater than they imagined, use mine too—for Your glory and the good of others.
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Prepare my heart like John prepared the way—for Your presence, Your peace, and Your purpose. Amen.
Beautifully written. Thank you ❤️
Kimberly, what an honest beautiful prayer. I join you in this prayer for both of us.
Amen❤️
“Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel,
because he has visited
and provided redemption for his people.”
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Thank You, Lord, for the faithful examples of Zechariah and Elizabeth, continuing to trust and to serve You while walking in disappointment and grief.
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SHARON JERSEY GIRL – praying for wisdom for the upcoming conversation, hopefully in person.
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TAYLOR – thanks for the update. Rejoicing with you that your dad’s surgery went well.
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INDIANA ELAINE – praying your doctor appt went well and you are getting some relief from pain.
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Praying for the VBS events this week. May the children and their families come to know Jesus.
❤️
Amen ❤️
Amen❤️
This warms my heart so much! And, on so many levels..
I mean, who still prays for a child at a grand old age and yet Zechariah and Elizabeth did!
That hope, that trust, that belief!
Oh to have a mustard seed version of that!
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My personal prayer ‘for me’ is that I might get a chance at being in partnership, in love, being loved (beyond my wildest dreams) and if all that fails for someone, a stronger hand to just hold mine, other than the tiny hand of a grandson..
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As I go into retirement, there is a sense of ‘that’s is it’, ‘too late’, ‘no chance now’ and the one thst seems to swim around in my head a lot is.. ‘you are old now.’
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BUT GOD…
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I have trusted Him in the most unlikely places and He has come through. I have looked to Him when I felt I had to, not necessarily because I trusted Him, or believed, but because He was my last Hope.. and He has seen me right.. even then..
There is definitely a fine line of will He? won’t He?
This is where my history with my Father God comes in, I know with all my heart that God has been faithful to me! Undeserving me! No question about that!
I know He has been near when I have felt alone and lost.
I know that He has provided in the small and the large.
I know, He puts me in situations I can handle.. by and in His grace
I know my life has had a few (a fair few) knocks back and front, BUT GOD has always journeyed with me, and seen me safely to shore..
I know He comforted me in those dark days of loss and not just that He filled me with a hope when He showed me where my loved one was..
I know God is in every detail of my life..
Take last week, HE COVERED ME with peace through your prayers and interceding..
I do not take these things lightly or for granted, but I do wonder, in Lisa Harpers words.. ..”there is someone out there, but maybe they are lost but are too proud to ask for directions..”
I smile as I write, as i realize the truth is, my story is not over, though I write as if it is, (Forgive me, Lord God..), while I have breathe, my story continues, and that is my statement of Hope, Trust and Believing that God has not forgotten or ignored my silent prayer for another chance at love and perhaps a husband..
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I am indeed thankful for this devotional, it sure has reminded me of who my Father God is..
A faithful God who hears and never ignores, but has planned for just the right time, for the impact of what He has done, and for glory to be His and His alone.
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BUT GOD..
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AMEN.
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Happy Tuesday loved ones, Happy Tuesday covered in much love and prayers and wrapped in grateful hugs..❤️
So beautiful, Tina. My heart is touched by your words and your request.
I loved “my personal prayer ‘for me’ “ and I will join you in praying ‘for you’ ❤️
Praying for you Tina!
Amen, Tina! I am praying for you and so thankful that God laid those words on your heart to share this morning. I pray for that second chance at love and companionship, too. Even if that prayer is not in God’s plan for me I know I am His treasured child and loved. Through your words and today’s scripture I am reminded to continue praying, bringing my requests to Him and clinging to the hope that is in my heart as I share my Father’s love and kindness with this world.
Praying your prayer alongside of you Tina ❤️
❤️