"Brief Devotions For Busy Lives" By Rev. Dr. Mary B. Johnson: Luke 1:21-25

 December 2

​"Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah. They were amazed that he was staying in the temple so long. When he did come out, he was unable to speak to them. So they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. He motioned to them but remained unable to talk...Later, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and didn't go out in public for five months. She said, 'The Lord has done this for me now. He has removed my public disgrace.'” -Luke 1:21-25 (GW)

​Zechariah, a Jewish priest, was told before anyone else that God was setting in motion his own visit to earth. Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, were known for their personal holiness and equipped to do great things for God. But they shared the pain of not having children. Have you ever faced an impossible situation and given up all hope? Elizabeth and Zechariah certainly did. In their old age they had given up hope of having children. They daily faced shame as childlessness was looked on as a sign of God's disfavor. Children cared for parents in their old age, gave financial security, and social status. Childlessness was seen as a curse. They had been childless many years and were too old to ever expect change. They felt humiliated and hopeless. But God was waiting for the right time to remove their disgrace. One day while on priestly duty, Zechariah found himself face to face with an angel who announced:"...your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth..."(Lk1:13-17)

Their son, John the Baptist, prepared the way for Jesus! God answers prayer in his own way and in his own time. He worked in an "impossible" situation in Elizabeth's old age and barrenness, to start bringing the fulfillment of all the prophecies concerning the Messiah. If we want to have prayers answered, we also need to be open to what God can do in impossible situations. We need to wait for God to work in his way and time. If you are waiting today for God to answer some request or fill a need, remain patient. No matter how impossible God's promises may seem, what he has said in his Word will come true at the right time! God will not fail you!

​Prayer: God, Grant patience to wait for your answers. Amen.

​Meditation For The Day: God can make the impossible possible!

​Brief Devotions For Busy Lives: Daily Winter Renewal Paperback – November 25, 2017, by Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson (Author)