“Faithful in the Waiting: Lessons from Zechariah & Elizabeth”

Series Ordinary People extraordinary God part 3:

“Faithful in the Waiting: Lessons from Zechariah & Elizabeth”

Have you ever stopped praying for something because you were just so disappointed in not seeing it answered? This Godly couple had wanted a child and had probably prayed for many years for something that now seemed out of reach and even unthinkable. But it didn’t stop them from being faithful. Elizabeth and Zechariah were well respected righteous people who faithfully served God. but their story was not over God had something planned for them that they couldn’t imagine.

There were about 18,000 priest who served at the temple two weeks out of the year. and offering incense in the temple was a once in a lifetime experience. So this was a time of great honor for Zechariah. Incense was a physical symbol of the prayers of all of Israel going up to God. and so as he lit the incense and watch the smoke rise to heaven an as everyone is praying An Angel appears…..

(5) When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron. (6) Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. (7) They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old. (8) One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. (9) As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to

enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. (10) While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying. (11) While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. (12) Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. (13) But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. (14) You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, (15) for he

will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth.  (16) And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. (17) He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children,  and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.” (18) Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well

along in years.” (19) Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! (20) But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.” (21) Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah to come out of the sanctuary, wondering why he was taking so long. (22) When he finally did come out, he couldn’t speak to them. Then they realized from his gestures and his silence that he must

have seen a vision in the sanctuary. (23) When Zechariah’s week of service in the Temple was over, he returned home. (24) Soon afterward his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months. (25) “How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.”
Luke 1:5-25 – NLT

1. The greatest testimony of godly character is not in the one  who appears “outwardly blessed” But in the one who remains faithful even in seasons of disappointment.

• Not having children was a big deal back then. it wasn’t just the personal disappointment but friends and family were concerned and hurt for you or maybe some would even judge you.
• But They were about to be blessed in a way they could not imagine. They would become an important part of God’s plan.

There will be times in our lives where we question why God doesn’t answer our prayer. and its not because they are selfish prayers. sometimes it for a child, sometimes its for healing, or that we want to see those family members that are lost come to Jesus. or maybe we just want reconciliation and peace in our family. and we get excited when it looks like our prayer might be answered but then it doesn’t happen and we experience what i would call high expectation exhaustion. which leads to skepticism, or doubts that it will ever happen.

transition: its understandable to be discouraged and to even have doubts at times. that’s just part of being human. but the danger lies in letting our doubts lead the way. 

For Zechariah his doubts led to a 9 month time out. imagine having the most amazing experience and not being able to tell anyone about it.

what led him to that doubtful response?

• He knew God was capable of giving them a child in their old age because he did it for Abraham and Sarah. So it wasn’t a lack of knowledge. He knew his history and he knew the Bible.
• So what was it?
• Perhaps, like many of us, he begin to doubt that God would do it for him. 
• this doubting that God is there for us can lead to deconstructing our faith. Paul calls it shipwrecking our faith. and we want to avoid that.

2. How do we defend ourself against destructive doubts

A. Bring your questions to God, not away from Him

(1) I cry out to the LORD;I plead for the LORD’s mercy. (2)   I pour out my complaints before him and tell him all my troubles. (3)   When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way I should turn.
Psalm 142:1-3 – NLT

• God has the answers we need to be listening.
• its often forced timeouts like when your sick that you finally hear God.

B. Immerse yourself in God’s promises

• Zechariah’s prophecy (vv. 67–79) is filled with Scripture. The silence pushed him deeper into the Word.  In our rush of life lets not forget the richness of studying the Bible.

C. Surround yourself with a community of Faith.

• many suffer in silence not wanting to share their burdens but that is exactly why God gave us his church

D. Keep obeying even when you don’t feel faith-filled

• feelings are important but they shouldn’t lead your life. that is the reason our culture is in so much trouble right now
• even the church has bought into this feelings driven faith but that doesn’t last

3 . God’s not done with you yet.

Zechariah and Elizabeth were in the later years of life. They were probably thinking well if it hasn’t happened yet its never going to happen. Its very common to focus on the young upcoming generations. even churches focus on the young and training up the next generation. and they should but they tend to forget or prioritize last the older saints. but that/s not what the Bible teaches.

• Moses was called at 80.
• Caleb conquered lands at 85.
• Zechariah and Elizabeth stepped into their calling after decades of waiting.
• If you’ve been waiting a long time…
• If doubt has crept in…
• If you feel like your best years are behind you…
• God is still writing your story.
  And He can do something extraordinary — even in the latter years of life.