Read Psalm 113. TEXT: ..."Your prayer has been heard ...." (Luke 1:13b).
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about six percent of married women between 15 and 44 years of age are unable to get pregnant. Infertility is extremely frustrating. Your hopes rise, only to be dashed month after month, year after year. What happens to a couple's dreams and prayers when they watch months, years, sometimes even decades pass with no child, no pregnancy? Time has a way of silencing those prayers, but it does not diminish the hurt and grief.
By the time Zechariah stands before the angel in the temple, his prayers are a distant memory. But decades before, when Zechariah and Elizabeth were pouring out their heartfelt prayers, God's answer to them was "Yes-but not yet." God was waiting until His time was right. He knew a certain young girl had yet to be born. Only when she would grow old enough to become the virgin mother of His Son could this couple conceive and give birth to their precious son.
Of course, Zechariah and Elizabeth never knew that answer. All they had were the cold, hard facts that convinced them God's answer had been "No." Sometimes reality is so hard, so dark, uncaring, and cold. Our prayers seem to go unanswered, and we become disillusioned with God.
God's timing for our lives doesn't always work out the way we would like. Sometimes our prayers seem to go unanswered. But we need to remember that our God is wise and loving, and has plans to prosper our lives-not ruin them. For Zechariah and Elizabeth, the long anticipated wait will definitely prove to have been worth it. And the incredible honor God will bestow on their son will be indescribable.
THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive me for questioning Your love when You answer my prayers with "no" or "wait." Strengthen my faith that I may so trust Your fatherly love that I pray "not my will, but Yours be done." In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Today's Bible Readings: Ezekiel 47-48 1 John 3
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