December 17 | God’s Perfect Timing
Luke 1:5-13 (NIV)
5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.
8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.
11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.
God always answers our prayers in accordance to His will and time. We have a tendency to remember the first part, that He answers our prayers, and forget the latter part, that it is in accordance to His will and His time. In this passage it states that both Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth were righteous in the sight of God, observing all of His commandments. They remained faithful and obedient to God even though their prayers had not been answered. Though we may not know why God has not answered our petition promptly, rest assured, He has our best interest at heart.
In the meantime as we wait for His response, continue to be faithful in the work He has set before you and be obedient to His commandments. Because Zechariah and Elizabeth remained faithful in the midst of delay, their son, John the Baptist, would be born at the perfect moment to prepare for the ministry of Jesus. If you find yourself in season of delay, there is a chance your faithful obedience now is preparing you to receive your greatest blessing yet.
Psalm 27:13-14 says, “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord: be strong and take heart.”
—Carlos Colón