Shalom Dear Brothers and Sisters Zacharias Prayer Luke chapter 1 starts with Zechariah going into the Holy Place to offer incense for the prayers of the people. Even though it doesn't say he requested that his wife Elizabeth would bear him a child, at some point early on in his Ministry he must have made that request. As I sat and read this story again I marveled at so many things! Clearly Zechariah had given up on ever having a child. The Lord on the other hand remembered Elizabeth's barrenness and even though Zechariah did not voice the request that day, this was the day the Lord chose to answer it. Zechariah had long given up on having a child yet he continued to serve the Lord as a priest for the people. Even though it appeared that God was not ever going to give them a child he didn't walk away. He had a call on his life, a gift to bring before the Lord the prayers of the people burning incense and doing other priestly ordinances. He continued faithfully to serve the Lord without question, disappointment or anger. Because it says in verse 6 that they were both (Elizabeth and Zechariah) righteous before the Lord, in keeping His commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless! In those days if you were barren it was usually assumed it was because of sin or past sins. But in earlier versus it is pointed out that Elizabeth was the daughter of Aaron. They lived in a small community and I'm sure there were rumors going around. Yet they kept their focus on God and trusted Him continuing to walk in His ways. Now when the Angel appeared to Zechariah he was terrified. The Angel calmed Zacharias fears and delivered the news. He told him he was Gabriel so that Zechariah was comfortable enough to converse with him. Zechariah asked for a sign because he was old and he doubted that this could happen. Gabriel declared that he stood in the presence of God. Gabriel knew that if God was sending him to deliver a message then it was surely true and would come to pass. Because Zechariah doubted the Word of the Lord the sign of the fulfillment was him becoming mute! So for nine months Zechariah was unable to speak a single word. I remember the few months in ICU when I could not speak and how frustrating it was but I still found ways to communicate. Of course my situation was different but I understand how Zechariah must have felt. He watched with his eyes as his wife grew in her pregnancy! Everyone knew he had seen the vision and they thought this was why he could not speak. I had a true prophet prophesy over me several years back. He said that the Lord's hand was on me and it was on me for good. He also said that God had not forgotten me, nor had He forgotten the things He had said about me. I've speculated much about what the Lord has said about me. After reading this I'm content to wait and see things play out. I prayed and repentant for assumptions I have made or hoped for. The Lord knows the prayers I have prayed and so have many others. Age means nothing to God we need only look at our forefathers and even this situation. I am much more content knowing that God will keep His Word concerning me! He has already delivered me and done much so much for me. So it is with the very very grateful heart that I give Him much praise and thanksgiving each and every day! He is Holy and Faithful and I know that He keeps His Word! B'Shem Yeshua Hamashiach, Amen In His Love, Theresa
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