In the Presence of God

Key Bible Passage:

And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and 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, for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children 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 the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” (Luke 1:11-20)

Reflect:

Infertility is an area where pain and hope intersect. Maybe you can relate to Zechariah’s story. “Zach” and “Liz” had waited so long for a baby that he didn’t even believe the angel’s promise!

Zechariah was a Jewish priest. Before approaching Mary about her expected baby, the angel first approached Zechariah and Elizabeth about a baby they would have (who would become John the Baptist). Zechariah, “righteous and blameless in the law,” didn’t believe because of his old age.

Like Zechariah, we can grow weary or skeptical as we wait, even as mature Christians.

“Because Jesus suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” (Hebrews 2:18). Jesus wasn’t just “God with us” (which is a pretty impressive title already), he was God as one of us too. Military life is full of waiting. Is there a “wait” you need to patiently entrust to God’s plan?

Respond:

• Do you grow weary in waiting? Ask God for patience and cling to Hebrews 2:18.