The Heart of a Servant

In this week's video discussion we focused on the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth found in Luke 1:5-25. It's a story I'm sure you can't remember right off hand, but one that has a theme that has played out several times throughout the bible.

Zechariah and Elizabeth had prayed desperately for years for a child but never was able to conceive. They were moving into their "golden years" when Zechariah was called to serve God in the tabernacle. As a priest, it was a very big deal to be able to serve God in the Temple and one did not pass this opportunity up. But in order for him to serve out his week, he had to leave Elizabeth behind and spend time preparing for this service.

The time came for Zechariah to go into the Temple and get the coals for the alter of incense and burn them. As he was standing there, an angel of the Lord appeared and told Zechariah that his wife would bear a child. Naturally, Zechariah was frightened at first and then he asked the angel how that could be. He explained that both he and his wife were very old and he just didn't believe it could happen. At this point in the story I am right there along with Zechariah. He and his wife I'm sure had prayed everyday for all these years for a child and each month came up empty handed.

How many times have we heard this similar story in the bible? A ton. It seems to be this reoccurring theme, just when you think your pray hasn't been heard, WHAM! its answered. If you are anything like me, there are things that you may have been praying for for awhile now and nothing seems to come of it. This story just reminds us that our prayers will be answered when God sees fit and He is wanting to show us his mircalous powers. And how much sweeter is an answered prayer when you have waited so long for it? It is a unexpected gift that brings joy to your life and you can without a doubt say "The Lord had done this for me!"

I hope there is not a prayer that you have given up on. I hope you are still praying for whatever it is that your are needing even if you have been praying about it for years. There is a particular area in my life that I have prayed about for what seems like forever but I have never given up hope that God will one day answer that prayer. I know He has big plans and I can't wait til He lets me in on the secrete!