It wasn't easy for a couple to live life
in Jesus' day without children. There
was a social stigma associated with a childless couple. It was thought to be an indication that God
was not pleased with them. Children were
looked upon as being a sign of God's favor.
It was therefore a very confusing time for Zechariah and Elizabeth. They both were able to trace their heritage
back to Aaron. Zechariah was a Jewish
priest, serving faithfully in the Temple.
Yet, they were not blessed with children. Why?
Zechariah and Elizabeth were deemed to be
righteous in God's eyes. They were known
to be a couple who carefully obeyed all of the Lord's commandments and
regulations. If you know anything at all
about the law of God, you know that it was very demanding and very difficult to
keep. This couple did not take the easy
road and live in disobedience. They
willingly did what God told them to do and thus, they were found to be
righteous before both God and man.
I wonder how many of us take obedience
to God as seriously as what they did.
They did not have the day-to-day help of the Holy Spirit like we
do. They did not know what it was like
to live in Christ like we do. Yet, their
hearts were right with God because they knew enough about God to fear Him, love
Him, and serve Him. They did not let
their circumstance in life keep them from obeying God.
As we learn from reading on in our text,
the Lord honored their faith and obedience and touched Elizabeth's womb so that
they did have a son, even though they were old and past the age when a couple
would normally have children. Their son
was John the Baptist, the one who rose up to prepare the way for Christ's
public ministry.
Never stop trusting the Lord and obeying
Him. He moves in mysterious ways and
blesses His children in ways that no can imagine or expect. God honors those who honor Him.
Blessed are those who submit to the Lord
and obey Him no matter what the circumstances of life may be. They are the true unsung heroes of the faith.
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