2023 Advent Devotional - Luke 1:5-7 (Day 13)

Luke 1: 5-7  “In the days of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.”

What do you do when you feel like you’re doing everything right but your hopes and dreams haven’t come to fruition?

The scripture says that both Zechariah and Elizabeth were “righteous before God”. That is such a powerful statement. Righteous means the conformity of the heart to the law of God. Yet, they were still without a child. When our lives are not going as planned, we are tempted to give up our commitments to God. When it feels like our prayers are going unanswered we can easily become discouraged. Our family prayed and prayed for another child but it was not happening at the time. Sometimes we forget that God has a plan for us and when it is supposed to happen it will happen.

God was working through Zechariah and Elizabeth, they are an example that we can look to when we feel like we are doing everything right and following the Lord but our plans are not going according to our timeline.  Zechariah and Elizabeth still honored the Lord and were faithful to him. They continue to “walk blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord”. They did not stray from the Lord when they were discouraged, yet they humbled themselves and walked in obedience to his guidance. God gave us an example through them of how to persevere through our own misconceptions of what is planned for our lives but instead follow God. When, through God’s grace and mercy, doors will be opened and opportunities given to share his glorious grace, we have to be obedient enough and humble ourselves to see those opportunities. As well as faithful enough to not abandon our commitment to God because he has never abandoned us. Humble yourself and know that God has a plan for your life, continue to praise his glory and be a beacon for others so that they may come to know the Lord’s grace and mercy.

Lord, Thank you for the examples you lay out for us. We are blessed that you know our heart and our needs. You remain faithful to your promises even when we are absorbed in our own self. Please continue to lead us towards your glory. Help us to maintain focus on you now more than ever. How easily we give up or get discouraged, watch over us and comfort us in our time of need. In your name we pray. Amen - By Regina Werdehausen