Embrace Expectancy: God at Work in the Waiting
Righteous and barren. Honorable and heartbroken. It’s hard to put such words together.
Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old.
Luke 1:6–7
Zechariah and Elizabeth loved God and honored Him with their lives, even though their quiet home reminded them daily that God hadn’t come through for them in the way they had hoped.
People of Depth and Conviction
What happens in your heart when God doesn’t give you what you want? Do you loosen your grip on what you know to be true? Do you wander from the very things that keep your soul free and whole? Especially at Christmastime, we tend to gravitate toward indulgence because we prefer to feel a surface level of happiness rather than to acknowledge the pain buried beneath the surface.
Elizabeth and Zechariah were people of depth and conviction. They honored God with their lives even though (it seemed) He hadn’t heard their prayer.
But then one day their story took a turn.
God ordained it one day for Zechariah to enter the Temple to offer sacrifices. I’m not sure what Zechariah expected, but I think it’s safe to say he was not at all prepared for what was about to happen. Zechariah was alone. And then he wasn’t. Right before his eyes an angel of the Lord visibly appeared and spoke audibly to Zechariah. Not a dream or vision. This happened!
The Angel
The angel Gabriel not only announced the promise that this dear couple would have a son, but that this boy would be great in the eyes of God, filled with the Holy Spirit even before his birth! Marked by the spirit and power of Elijah, John would prepare the way for the coming of the Lord. John’s holy influence would turn the hearts of fathers to their children. Imagine. His humble, holy presence on the earth would cause the rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.
Even though God delays, He delivers.
The Lord then sent Gabriel on another assignment: to Nazareth. Gabriel appeared before Mary and called her highly favored of God. He announced that she would give birth to a son, the Son of the Most High God.
Are you ready for the impossible?
People used to say Elizabeth was barren. But no more.
Do you believe God is capable of changing the narrative of your story? Can you embrace the idea that He wants to do such a thing for you?
What if you engaged your faith this Advent season? Decided to believe for the impossible? Prioritized things you know are necessary? And what if you dared to lift your requests before the Lord? Are you ready to dream again? It’s time for expectancy to make a comeback.
Though God often answers our prayers in ways different than we ever expect, He will answer. He’s Emmanuel.
God is with you. Go about your daily duties with a renewed awareness of God’s presence. Be joyful. And thankful. Embrace expectancy. And when God moves in and upon your circumstances, dare to pray what Mary prayed:
Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” Luke 1:38
Reflection:
Fast from impatience and discontentment. Pursue God until you come to a place of holy contentment mixed with holy expectancy. His grace abounds for you here.
If you liked this post, check out Prepare Him Room by Susie Larson. We love how Susie invites you to give God sacred space in your holiday season and ponder the miracle of Christ within you.
Susie Larson (SusieLarson.com) is a national speaker, bestselling author, and the host of the daily talk show Susie Larson Live heard on the Faith Radio Network with over 3.5 million downloads. She has written 20 books and numerous articles and has been a guest on many major media outlets, including Focus on the Family, the Life Today show, and FamilyLife Today. Voted twice as a top-ten finalist for the John C. Maxwell Transformational Leadership Award, she is also a veteran of the fitness field. Susie and her husband, Kevin, live near Minneapolis, Minnesota.
