Faithfulness of God

Today’s Gospel Text: In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechari'ah, of the division of Abi'jah; and he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.

8 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, it fell to him by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechari'ah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechari'ah, for your prayer is heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth; 15 for he will be great before the Lord, and he shall drink no wine nor strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. 16 And he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Eli'jah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared." 18 And Zechari'ah said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years." 19 And the angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stand in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things come to pass, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time." 21 And the people were waiting for Zechari'ah, and they wondered at his delay in the temple. 22 And when he came out, he could not speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he made signs to them and remained dumb. 23 And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home 24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she hid herself, saying, 25 "Thus the Lord has done to me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men."  Luke 1:5-25

Reflection: What is it that enables people to persevere, despite all odds, is a mystery which at times throws up some insights into the beauty of perseverance, when we delve into it deeply.

 We have a beautiful example in Zechariah and Elizabeth as a faith couple: "And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years." (vss. 6-7)

This was definitely not a rosy situation; for this couple to be found righteous before God and walk in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, that too blamelessly.

Anyone else in their place would have given up on God much before their time.

How many of us can say we have been faithful in our basic duty towards God; maybe just that daily fixed time with God, being in his presence in prayer or reading his word prayerfully.

We could be failing in this badly or may have given in to despair.

Satan’s greatest weapon against those who are serious about their walk with Christ is to lead them to despair so as to push them to give up on God or doubt God's faithfulness. 

How often we may have felt with a dejected heart and given in to despair, that God does not answer my prayers or does not respond to my petitions.

The scripture constantly assures us that God is faithful, this does not mean that God will give us whatever we ask for, it means that God always answers our prayers, because he is faithful.

Which means sometimes his answer is no to our request, because he has better things in store for us, even eternity. 

The Holy couple of scripture are shining examples of God’s answer to their prayers which may have been always “No” till an opportune time they had a son who would usher in the Savior of the World.

Prayer: Lord, grant me a spirit of fortitude, that I may never give up on you and trust boldly in  your faithfulness.

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