“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.” Luke 1:13
Perhaps today we need to hear the words spoken by this angel, “Don’t be afraid.” “God has heard your prayer.”
No doubt a prayer for a child was spoken to God many times from Zechariah and Elizabeth. They trusted and were obedient to God even when they had to wait. Waiting is difficult – whether in a hospital waiting room or in God’s waiting room. Psalm 37:7 reminds us to wait patiently for God to act.
THE LORD IS GRACIOUS is the meaning of John’s name. We can imagine what it was like for Zechariah to have such great news for the woman he had committed his life to or for the angel to be the deliverer of such wonderful news. God’s grace was magnified in the gift of this child. How can God’s grace be magnified through some news or gift I may be able to give someone else who is waiting?
Oh God, as I look around your waiting room here on earth, there are many women who are waiting – waiting to be rescued from sex slavery, prostitution, poverty, waiting to be rescued from rejection, singleness, barrenness, and abuse. Moms are waiting for prodigals to come home and the daughter is waiting to be forgiven. The diseased are waiting to be healed; the hungry to be fed; and the orphaned to be adopted. The lonely woman is waiting for a friend; the homeless for a home; the unemployed for employment; the forgotten to be remembered; and the live-in girlfriend for her engagement ring. In all of our waiting God, I pray we are not afraid and know you have heard our prayers. May you prompt us in our waiting to refocus on how we can magnify your grace for someone else who is waiting. Maybe something so simple as an invitation to church. In Jesus name. Amen.
