Verse
6 Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly. 7 But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years.
Explaination
Here we find two upright and holy people that the Bible declares were have been blamelessly serving God all their lives. Her husband Zechariah is working just inches from the very physical presence of God himself. Yet this perfect service and working in close proximity to God has seen their prayers unanswered. They were praying for two things, one was a child, the other the messiah. In Verse 13 the angel says that in response to his prayer, his wife will have a son.
Real life meaning
Just because your life is perfectly obedient to God doesn’t mean that God will give you everything that you want. And just because he doesn’t answer immediately doesn’t mean that he hasn’t heard your request. Just like Elizabeth and Zechariah, you may have to wait your whole life for an answer, as some prayers can only be answered in God’s timing. God needed their child to make a huge statement about who Jesus was, and they were given a place of amazing honour as John the Baptist’s parents. He needed to be born at the exact time of history to prepare the way for Jesus to come. Be patient with God, and trust him, you never know the big plan, but when you see it, you would never choose any other way.
Your possible responses
You might have a prayer that is seemingly unanswered, or something that you need to happen. Still trust in God, he has the Big Picture. Pray that you will have the trust and patience to accept whatever that is. Knowing that sometimes the reasons might not be known till eternity. But look over the things that you could have had but would have missed out on if your prayers were answered the way you wanted immediately.
