The Weekend Word
“In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, 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 before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.” (Luke 1:5–7 ESV)
I was working on my obligatory Christmas messages with very little enthusiasm when this passage jumped off the pages of my Bible.
“Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.”
The Christmas season has a way of amplifying the leanness in my soul, more so as I grow older…all the “barren” places in my life shout about my own failures and my disappointment with God.
They also tell me I’m out of time…the days of hope have passed me by.
In the context of this passage “barren” means that Elizabeth was unable to bear a child, but the broader meaning of the term means an inability to bring forth life or the things that sustain it.
Also in the context of this passage, the note that they were “advanced in years” means that not only were Elizabeth and Zechariah unable to have a child, they probably had stopped trying long ago…and stopped praying for it at the same time.
They had learned to live with an empty nest.
Still, they were devout people going about their lives day in and day out, faithful despite the years of longing unfulfilled.
Then one day while the old man was at work, an angel showed up with a message from God…not only were Liz and Zech going to have a kid, he was going to play a part in fulfilling the national longing for Messiah.
Zechariah didn’t believe at first.
Just like you think this passage doesn’t apply to you.
I pray it does.
I pray that you will understand that God often shows up to normal people doing normal stuff and fulfills the hopes we can’t fulfill on our own.
I pray that you understand that God has heard all your prayers and He doesn’t have a statute of limitations governing when He can answer.
I pray that you realize that if you’re breathing, you’re not out of time and God isn’t done with you yet.
I pray that this Advent has Jesus showing up in your places of barrenness and speaking new life into them.
I believe, help my unbelief…
Make your own application…
❤️
Thank you, my friend…
I think we all often find ourselves alone and feeling like a worthless part of our community. But, God doesn’t forget we are part of His entire creation.
I found I can’t exist or even live without the contribution of others. They grow the food I eat, transport it to the stores I shop at, provide recipes to improve the joy of my consumption, someone designs and makes the clothes I wear, others manage the resources around me …
I think you get the idea. I’m part of the bigger whole that God designed from the beginning. My purpose is to be a part of it, contributing to His Kingdom in the small ways I’m capable of.
There’s no such thing as a hermit because with out others we would all die. Even Elijah lived because of others in a time of famine.
Michael thank you for your part it does bring strength, joy and life to others!
Jesus was never alone on the cross. He was surrounded by the world and the people of His Kingdom. But, it sure is a heavy load! Bless His Name!!!
Thank you, MM…
Remember the old commercial for Hai Karate after shave?
“Thanks. I needed that!”
Thanks, CK…I needed it too…
Amen….
I suspect that, as long as one is alive here… A Believer is of use to the Kingdom and an unbeliever has a chance to repent
At this stage of life i look back with more longing than regret (then i think of ?Lot’s wife) and in the present i find God still finds uses for me, piddling though they may be.
But i do wish God would remove the wolf pack, yes i said wolves, that have invaded our neighborhood. I don’t think i am up to being challenged y a real life wolf, let alone a pack… Everyone, not me, up here as guns, but it is illegal to shootva wolf. … SAY WHAT? ?
Interesting that the old priest(!) Zechariah didn’t believe at first and young Mary did.
Your faith is an inspiration. Keep believing.