"5 During the time when Herod ruled Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah. He belonged to Abijah’s group. His wife came from the family of Aaron. Her name was Elizabeth. 6 Zechariah and Elizabeth were both good people who pleased God. They did everything the Lord commanded, always following his instructions completely. 7 But they had no children. Elizabeth could not have a baby, and both of them were very old." Luke 1:5-25
Sweet Elizabeth lived a life worthy of God's calling for her. She obeyed His word and His commands. She loved God and loved her husband. However, there was just one thing missing; Elizabeth and Zechariah longed for a baby. They dreamed of being parents and raising their own children. Elizabeth was barren, she was not able to have kids. She had a lot of grief,and loneliness because of this. She couldn't understand why God didn't want her to be a mother and what she had done to deserve it, but she and her husband held on to one thing: their prayers. They continued to pray for this baby. They continued to ask God to bless them with this child, even into their old ages.
A lot of times, like Liz and Zach, we desire things. Whether it be a child, relationship, or even something material. We pray, God doesn't answer right away, and we lose hope. We complain, get angry and hold it against God for not giving us what we ask, unlike this couple.
God answers our prayers in just three simple ways: 'yes', 'no', and 'not right now.' We tend to get irritated with the latter two, but we generally forget that we know little to nothing about what we need in our lives. What's amazing is that God knows. He knows the desires of our hearts. He hears our prayers. And He is going to satisfy our needs in the time it is needed. This brings such reassurance to my soul because my desires are often numerous and unnecessary, but God knows exactly what I need and when I need it. He gives me the confidence to trust in Him to provide for me. Whether He gives me the very thing I am longing for or not, I know that He will withhold no good thing from me.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11
More often than not, we become frustrated with what God has given us because of our lack of understanding. It isn't what we want, so we lose hope. Fortunately, for Liz and Zach, they kept their hope, and they kept content hearts with what they had. They trusted in the Lord's unknown reasons for not giving them children. They loved their Father through the circumstances because they trusted in His plan for their lives. Funny thing is though, God rewarded them for their faithfulness to Him. He not only gave them a son, but He made them the parents of one of the greatest men to ever live, John the Baptist. Considering their old ages, they did not believe that it could be true. Though as it became more and more relevant to them, they rejoiced in their Jesus. He answered their prayers, and they could only praise Him for this gift.
Sometimes we may not understand our circumstances or the reasons we have the life we do. However, God does. He knows your heart and your desires. He hears your prayers and your cries. Nonetheless, He knows what you need, and when you need it. Just as you begin to get overwhelmed by your circumstances, I pray you remember one thing. The same thing Liz and Zach remembered; God's got this. He is in control, and He wants the best for you. Trust in His promises, and you will be blessed immensely.
God brings life to barren places, just as He did to Elizabeth's womb. Trust in his capability to do it for you as well. The Lord knows your needs, and He will satisfy where He see's fit. Lay it down at His feet, and let it go. He will sustain you.
