What if today was the day?
The day you had been waiting for all of your life?
Zechariah was a Jewish priest and it was his divisions time to be on duty in the temple. This was a responsibility that was theirs twice a year as well as during major festivals. Zechariah was a righteous man who took this tremendous responsibility to heart. You see, he was a righteous man.
During this time of service, one priest would be chosen by lot to go into the temple and would enter the Holy Place of the Lord and burn incense. This was a once in a lifetime experience - literally. Only once in his lifetime could a priest offer the incense at the daily sacrifice. Now was his time.
As Zechariah was praying, the incense was burning, the smoke was wafting heavenward, the people were outside praying and an angel of the Lord appeared and said to him
Zechariah was a Jewish priest and it was his divisions time to be on duty in the temple. This was a responsibility that was theirs twice a year as well as during major festivals. Zechariah was a righteous man who took this tremendous responsibility to heart. You see, he was a righteous man.
During this time of service, one priest would be chosen by lot to go into the temple and would enter the Holy Place of the Lord and burn incense. This was a once in a lifetime experience - literally. Only once in his lifetime could a priest offer the incense at the daily sacrifice. Now was his time.
As Zechariah was praying, the incense was burning, the smoke was wafting heavenward, the people were outside praying and an angel of the Lord appeared and said to him
"...Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard." Luke 1:13
Doesn't your soul just revel in those words?
What was this righteous man praying? As the priest burning the incense he had a responsibility to pray for the nation of Israel - God's chosen people. Inherent to that plea was their desire for the Messiah to come - come Lord Jesus come.
Now was the time! After hundreds of years of the priests and the people praying, the God of the universe, the Creator and Sustainer of all living things was going to answer the prayer offered by Zechariah. But God who draws from a bottomless well of love did not stop there. In addition to supplying their need for a Savior, He was going to give Zechariah and Elizabeth the child that their hearts had longed for. The one who would prepare the way for the coming Messiah. Now was God's perfect timing according to His perfect plan.
Oh don't you long to hear those words, "Your prayer has been heard?"? I know I do. Sometimes when you pray for something for so long and you are unable to see the answer with your own eyes you grow weary. Don't get discouraged.
God assures us in His Word that He hears us when we pray and that He answers!
What was this righteous man praying? As the priest burning the incense he had a responsibility to pray for the nation of Israel - God's chosen people. Inherent to that plea was their desire for the Messiah to come - come Lord Jesus come.
Now was the time! After hundreds of years of the priests and the people praying, the God of the universe, the Creator and Sustainer of all living things was going to answer the prayer offered by Zechariah. But God who draws from a bottomless well of love did not stop there. In addition to supplying their need for a Savior, He was going to give Zechariah and Elizabeth the child that their hearts had longed for. The one who would prepare the way for the coming Messiah. Now was God's perfect timing according to His perfect plan.
Oh don't you long to hear those words, "Your prayer has been heard?"? I know I do. Sometimes when you pray for something for so long and you are unable to see the answer with your own eyes you grow weary. Don't get discouraged.
God assures us in His Word that He hears us when we pray and that He answers!
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8
Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.
Jeremiah 29:12
Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.
Isaiah 65:24
If God said to you today, "Now is the time" what would you ask in prayer?
7 comments:
Lisa,
I just read the Isaiah scripture this morning, yahoo!! I was thinking as I was reaching what you have shared this morning, about the fragrance that must have been rising to God from the incense and Zechariah's heart and that it must have been pleasing to God for God answered him. Oh, Hallelujah!!! Shouting material Sister and thank you for sharing what God had revealed to you.
Lovingly,
Yolanda
What an absolute comfort it is to know that when we cry out, He hears us.
Love ya - Beth
Sometimes I think I need to ask Him for patience as I await His answers to my prayers! It IS wonderful when prayers are answered! Especially so when you've been praying over something for a very long time.
A wonderful piece of writing!
Amazing, the passage from Isaiah 65 was the very verse I meditated on for my quiet time.
Again, you point out Scripture to us that is so personal. I got to thinking that if today was the day God's angel was to appear and say that my prayers have been answered, I wouldn't know which one of the many prayers I'm holding in my heart it would be.
But it IS a wonderful thing to hear those words... I know God cares, and God hears. There is a coming day of fulfillment, IN HIS TIME.
Bless you, dear Lisa.
Isn't it just SO awesome that the Mighty God, Creator of the Universe, takes the time to listen to us as individuals when there are billions of us humans here on planet earth??? Sure makes me feel special. :)
Marilyn
This encourages me a lot as my husband is trying to find out what God wants us to do next with our job and everything. Blessings! Jenny
Preach on my friend, I need to hear HIS words and so do many others. Connie
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