We pray. We ask God for things, for help, for understanding. Sometimes God answers ‘yes’. Sometimes God answers ‘no’. Sometimes God answers ‘wait’.

According to the book of Luke, Zacharias was in the temple at Jerusalem performing his priestly duties when God revealed His prayer answer. It was 400 years since a prophet had spoken for the LORD. The record does not indicate how long Zacharias had prayed this specific prayer. The record does not indicate how frequently Zacharias had prayed this specific prayer.The record does not indicate how recently Zacharias had prayed this specific prayer.

Luke 1:⁵ There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

⁶And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

⁷And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

⁸And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course,

⁹According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.

What does it matter to you that Zacharias performed his duties while no answer came for his prayer?

¹⁰And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.

¹¹And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

¹²And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

¹³But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

¹⁴And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.

¹⁵For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.

¹⁶And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

¹⁷And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

Do you see how much greater was God’s answer than the baby Zacharias requested?

¹⁸And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

¹⁹And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.

²⁰And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

Why didn’t Zacharias jump for joy and gratitude?

Why did Zacharias doubt the answer he asked for?

The record does not indicate how often the prayer was prayed nor how recently.

Have you experienced an answer to a prayer prayed some time ago? God is not limited to time.

Paul informs us about Jesus Christ in Ephesians 3:²⁰ Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

²¹Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

When you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior He creates you new. He dwells within you. He runs the race of life with you. You are not alone. He is preparing a dwelling place for you to live with Him forever. So tell Him what you feel. Tell Him what hurts. Tell Him what you desire. He loves you and cares about you. He will answer in His time.

Do you know this song?

In His time, In His Time, He makes all things beautiful in His time.
Lord please show me every day As You’re teaching me Your way
That You do just what You say In Your time.

In Your time, In Your Time, You make all things beautiful in Your time.
Lord my life to You I bring, May each song I have to sing
Be to you a lovely thing In Your time.

Our focus – Hebrews 12:¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Our challenge – Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through  you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti