HOPE
Monday, December 4
Read: Luke 1:5-7
I have always read “because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years” as being two sides of the same coin. However, it may be that these are two related but separate details. Both would have been undeniable. Kids running through town, the sound of a baby’s cry, seeing a young mother nurse her child. These would have been painful reminders of Elizabeth’s inability to conceive. To be barren, in Jewish culture, was seen as a sign that you were without God’s blessing.
Every time Zechariah and Elizabeth saw their reflections, they would see signs of aging. More wrinkles, thinner skin, graying hair. All reminders of the relentless march of time.
Yet, they were blameless in their adherence to Jewish law. Sad about not having children? Probably. Very aware of their advancing years? It would seem so. But they didn’t turn their backs on God. Regardless of cultural thoughts, they knew He hadn’t withheld His blessing from them.
What are you waiting for? For Zechariah and Elizabeth, it was the hope of having a child. Maybe it’s the same for you. Maybe you’re waiting to be healed of an illness. Maybe you’re waiting for a relationship to be reconciled. Maybe you’re waiting for a new job, college admissions letters, a returned call or text from that one estranged friend, or a loved one’s health to rebound.
Whatever you’re waiting for, look at what God does for Zechariah and Elizabeth and know He can do it for you, too. He sustained them in the waiting. They were blameless. That doesn’t mean they weren’t upset. It doesn’t mean they didn’t cry or ask God why. It just means they trusted and obeyed Him.
Proverbs 13:12 says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life. Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around.”
For now, follow Zechariah and Elizabeth’s lead. Lean in. Trust God and allow that trust to produce hope. He is working all things together for your good.
Pray: Ask God for the faith, the courage, and the perseverance to hold on to hope.
Tuesday, December 5
Read: Luke 1:8-10
Zechariah was the first century Jewish equivalent of a pastor. As a Jewish priest, he would have been responsible for maintaining the temple and preaching about the Scriptures and directing worship services. At this time, there were about 20,000 Jewish priests throughout the country. Since that’s way too many to come to the Temple at Jerusalem for these prayer rituals, they were split up into groups of 1,000 and representatives were sent from each.
When they got to the Temple, lots were cast (almost like drawing straws) to decide who would go into the Holy Place to pray. The Most Holy Place was believed to be where the very presence of God dwelled. No one was allowed in there. Only certain priests were allowed into the Holy Place, which was just outside of the Most Holy Place.
Zechariah was one of 20,000 priests. He happened to be on duty this particular week. He happened to be chosen by random (casting lots) to go into the Holy Place. “Happened to”? Not really. With God, there’s no such thing as chance or coincidence. Zechariah was exactly where God wanted him to be so he would be positioned for what was about to happen.
As you wait, know that God is working in the background. He might even be working in the foreground. It’s easy to miss God if we’re not looking for Him – or if we’re looking for Him to show up in a particular way.
Don’t box God in. What are you waiting for? Whatever it is, as you wait, look around with fresh eyes. Expect to see God in unexpected ways.
Pray: Ask the Lord to reveal Himself to you today in a way you don’t usually encounter Him. Then, when you do, tell Him thanks.
Wednesday, December 6
Read Luke 1:11-17
Angels are God’s messengers. Often in the Old Testament, when angels showed up it was bad news. The message they were charged with bringing was that consequences for Israel’s sin were on their way. Sometimes they came to lead chosen people to safety away from those consequences, but that still meant calamity was coming for someone.
What we have as the Old Testament was the whole Bible to Zechariah. As a priest, he would have been intimately familiar with the peril that so often came with the appearance of one of God’s angels.
So, it’s understandable that his gut reaction would be fear…and that the angel would have known it. “Do not be afraid.” Oh, okay. No problem. WHAT?! Surely easier said than done. Zechariah had to have been in a state of shock, expecting some terrifying news. What he got, though, was exactly the opposite.
Not only have your prayers been heard and God is blessing you with a desire you’ve surely given up on by now, but your son is going to be great in the sight of the Lord! In fact, he will be one of the most important figures in the history of God’s people!
Wow! How utterly mind-blowing!
As you wait in faith that God is working in the background, prepare yourself to receive the news of His blessings. Who knows, it could even come in a way that initially seems kind of scary. Do not be afraid. God is for you. Whatever His message is, even if it not what you expect, is for your good.
Pray: Ask the Lord to prepare your heart to receive His message. Pray for the strength to not be afraid.
Thursday, December 7
Read Luke 1:18-22
Sometimes, the news we receive from the Lord isn’t what we want to hear. Sometimes, it’s not what we expect to hear. Other times, it seems too good to be true and we have a hard time receiving it because, you know the saying, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Not with God.
It’s ironic. Zechariah was afraid in the presence of the angel because of the assumption that bad news was coming. Then, the angel delivered some of the best news of his life and, because Zechariah couldn’t receive it, he wound up getting bad news after all.
Imagine losing the greatest tool in your toolbox for fulfilling your calling and providing for your family. For a priest, that would be his voice. For a mechanic or a surgeon, it’s their hands. For a pilot, it would be their eyesight. The angel ensured that Zechariah would not speak any words of doubt or skepticism for the duration of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. It’s kind of like what mom used to say. “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”
It's one thing to say, “expect the unexpected.” It’s another to believe that God can do the impossible. When he does the impossible in, to, and through you, it’s a whole other level of awe. Our natural, human response might be disbelief.
So, let’s be brave. Let’s be bold enough to believe that God will deliver exactly what we need. He will provide in ways that only He can. He will satisfy our longing.
Pray: Whatever you’re waiting for, when God delivers, don’t question it. Don’t tell Him there must be some kind of mistake. Choose to believe. Choose to praise. Choose to embrace His mighty working power in your life. You don’t want to miss out on opportunities to give him praise when He starts blowing your mind with blessings.
Friday, December 8
Read: Luke 1:23-25
Everything the angel told Zechariah came to pass. We don’t get Elizabeth’s immediate reaction to the news, though we can step into the story and imagine how she may have responded. Zechariah comes home from his priestly duties, unable to speak. He probably communicates in writing on a tablet and with some sort of pantomime. Surely, others who served with him came along to help convey what transpired at the temple.
Then, Elizabeth gets pregnant and remains in seclusion for five months. Why would she hide away, especially before she would start showing? We don’t know. Luke doesn’t say. Perhaps she simply increased her time alone with the Lord to allow adequate space to praise Him.
The next thing we read is Elizabeth saying that God did this for her. Little words can be so important. She doesn’t say God did this to her. He did it for her. It is a blessing…and it goes beyond fulfilling the long waiting to be a mom. He took away her disgrace among the people.
We have to have the right mindset if we’re going to celebrate the fulfillment of our waiting. Elizabeth could have focused on the challenges ahead of her. Would she live long enough to see her child reach adulthood? Would she even survive childbirth? How would she be able to keep up with a toddler at her age? Great timing, God!
Instead, she recognized the gift and praised the giver.
What are you waiting for? As you wait, what are you doing to maintain a heart of gratitude? Zechariah had given up hope, so when the wait was over, he couldn’t believe it. Elizabeth held on to hope. It’s hope that fueled her confidence in and gratitude toward God. Hope fulfilled erupted in praise.
Pray: When you’re feeling more like Zechariah, ask God to make you more like Elizabeth. Pray for the resilience to hold on to hope, faith to trust in His timing, and a heart that erupts in praise when your hope is fulfilled!