In the days of Herod, King of Judea, there was a certain priest name Zacharias, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
And they were both righteous in the sight of God, walking aimlessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.
And they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.
Luke 1:5-7
Elizabeth was well beyond her season of barreness… the thought of her prayer for child no longer on her mind. She had let go of that hope years ago. Hope deferred…dreams dashed… journey through a barren wilderness that never ended… was a unanswered prayer an unheard prayer?
Zacharias was chosen by “lot” this one time…in your perfect design and precise timing. To bring all the prayers of the people in the form of incense before you…in a most sacred yearly ritual…the bowls of the prayers of the saints. (Revelation 5:8) (Luke 1:8-10)
He carried also, the very prayers of his wife. Her forgotten…relinquished prayers for an end to barrenness, to the very throne room of God. Her heart no longer hoped for children…it was settled years before.
Moments of bitterness turned to surrender.
Hopelessness to worship of an ever faithful God.
Unanswered desires two reminders of God’s unbroken covenant of love.
Obsessive thoughts from womb to worship.
As Zachariah entered your presence…You showed up…answering prayers that most likely hadn’t been spoken for years.
Not forgotten by you.
Not overlooked by you.
Not unimportant to you.
You’re timing perfect. Your plan precise. Not a moment late or less than their hearts and minds can imagine.
Still today, you are our Father who hears…who doesn’t forget…who answers in ways unimaginable and impossible.
Your faithfulness will always bring us out of our barons seasons, we will one day rejoice just as the barren woman does he becomes the mother of children.
No one can compare to God, enthroned on high! He stoops down to look upon the sky and the earth.
He promotes the poor, picking them up from the dirt and rescues the needy from the garbage dump.
He turns paupers into princes and seats them on the royal throne of honor.
God’s grace provides for the barren ones a joyful home with children, so that even the childless couples find a family. He makes them happy parents surrounded by their pride and joy.
That’s the God we praise so give it all to him!
Ps. 113:5-9 The Message