Disappointed But Dedicated
Disappointed But Dedicated | December 10th
Part of the foundation of the Christmas narrative begins with a committed couple (Zechariah and Elizabeth) who could not conceive a child. Luke's gospel reports that they were well past childbearing years. No doubt the sting of that pain lessened over time, but the disappointment of not having children surely crept back up every time they saw a small child or some of their friends with their grandkids. It's only human to long for what could've been. I am sure Zechariah and Elizabeth weren't any different in that respect because having and loving children is a noble aspiration from the Lord.
Typically our disappointments will either distract us away from God or draw us to Him. It seems as though Zechariah's unfortunate experience did the latter. Luke 1:8-10 reports, "One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. 9 As was the custom of the priests; he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. 10 While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying."
According to Scripture, Zechariah was a priest, and this account in the temple marks the pinnacle of his priestly service. To be chosen to perform the sacred rites was considered the highest of honors. His duty primarily included keeping the incense burning before the Holy of Holies in the Temple (Exodus 30:7-8), symbolic of the prayers of people ascending to the Lord. Thus, the incense represented their dependence on the Lord and their prayerful petitions of repentance, confession, and thanksgiving for the coming Messiah. Little did they know just how close His coming was!
Nevertheless, Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, were committed to God regardless of their past pains. See, it's possible to be faithful to God yet fatigued by your discouraging circumstances. While they certainly had moved on and given up on praying for children, their devotion did not waver. We must remember that to persevere through those seasons of disappointments, we must remain dedicated to God's plan and His approved path, just like Zechariah and Elizabeth.
You may be facing battles of the blues. Maybe it's been one disappointment after another. But, like Zechariah and Elizabeth, your time is coming. So keep serving God and wait on His provision.
Typically our disappointments will either distract us away from God or draw us to Him. It seems as though Zechariah's unfortunate experience did the latter. Luke 1:8-10 reports, "One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. 9 As was the custom of the priests; he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. 10 While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying."
According to Scripture, Zechariah was a priest, and this account in the temple marks the pinnacle of his priestly service. To be chosen to perform the sacred rites was considered the highest of honors. His duty primarily included keeping the incense burning before the Holy of Holies in the Temple (Exodus 30:7-8), symbolic of the prayers of people ascending to the Lord. Thus, the incense represented their dependence on the Lord and their prayerful petitions of repentance, confession, and thanksgiving for the coming Messiah. Little did they know just how close His coming was!
Nevertheless, Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, were committed to God regardless of their past pains. See, it's possible to be faithful to God yet fatigued by your discouraging circumstances. While they certainly had moved on and given up on praying for children, their devotion did not waver. We must remember that to persevere through those seasons of disappointments, we must remain dedicated to God's plan and His approved path, just like Zechariah and Elizabeth.
You may be facing battles of the blues. Maybe it's been one disappointment after another. But, like Zechariah and Elizabeth, your time is coming. So keep serving God and wait on His provision.
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