By Andrew Williams – December 20, 2021
In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest of Abijah’s division named Zechariah. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both were righteous in God’s sight, living without blame according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord. it happened that he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. At the hour of incense the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and overcome with fear.
Luke 1:5-6, 9-12 HCSB
Good morning fellow disciples.
As we continue to look at prayer this month, we are reminded that prayer is simply communicating with God. That includes both speaking to Him and hearing from Him.
Have you ever been in the place or the position where you have been speaking to God for a period of time and you have not heard from Him? Sometimes we want a speedy answer and sometimes we don’t get it. Then there are times when God speaks to us in ways that are unexpected.
Have you ever prayed about something and then the next day someone shows up and starts speaking to you in a way that you know that this conversation was the answer that you were looking for? Have you ever started praying to God with the expectation that He would a spend a week or two thinking about His answer, but as you started praying, you received the answer? Have you prayed to God asking Him for help, and then the person that you dislike or despise the most comes to you and offers you that help?
There are many other examples I could give, but I think you get the point by now. God sometimes answers us in ways that we do not expect. In this story Zechariah went to worship God and as he was worshipping God an Angel appeared to him. It shocked him! But then the Angel spoke the words that God gave him to give Zechariah.
This morning as you reflect on your fellowship and your relationship with God, could it be that He has given you the answers to your concerns, given you the answers to your prayers, but you just have not seen it because the messenger is someone that you did not expect?
As we seek fellowship with God, as we pray to Him, and we worship Him, may we be open to the unexpected messengers and the messages that God will give.
Our prayer today is the message that the Angel gave to Zechariah. As you see and hear this response, may you consider the many ways that God has unexpectedly answered your prayers and the unexpected messengers that He has sent into your life. Realize also that God’s plan for your life is far better that you could imagine.
God’s Answer to Zechariah’s Prayer:
“But the angel said to him: Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. There will be joy and delight for you, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or beer.
He will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb. He will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people.”
Luke 1:13-17 HCSB
Amen !!!