“In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendent of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years” (Luke 1:5-7).
Is it possible to be both blameless and barren? Is it possible to be righteous before God, to know all the right things and do them, according to all the rules, commandments, and regulations of the Lord and still be lacking the longing of your heart? Can bad things happen to good people? Can hard times and tough seasons, deferred hope and shattered dreams, unfulfilled expectations and discouraging disappointments touch the lives of those who love God and are called according to Your purposes?
Look at Zechariah and Elizabeth. They loved You; they lived for You and lived blamelessly before You. They were created and called by You with tremendous purpose and calling and destiny—they would be the earthly father and mother of John the Baptist, who would prepare the way of the Lord in the spirit of Elijah for the coming of Christ. Yet, they suffered sadness and maybe even sensed a measure of rejection and confusion about Your promises and provision for abundance and blessing in their lives. They were getting on in years, yet the hopes and dreams of their hearts were still unfulfilled.
And even if the season of barrenness would be broken and the birth of a miracle child was to come, what of all the years before? What of all the tears before? What of all the questions and struggles in their hearts, and what of all the questions and judgments of their neighbors and s0-called friends through all the days of their journey of faith until the day of rejoicing when the miracles and power and provision of God was to come?
No wonder Zechariah had a few questions and even a bit of an attitude with the angel of the Lord when the glorious promises and breakthroughs of God were announced (v. 1:18). No doubt Elizabeth must have had a few questions of her own. Yet Your Word went forth and the miracle child was conceived (v. 1:24). Years of disappointment, seasons of enduring disapproval and doubts of others, and decades of being tempted to settle for something less than the fullness of the desires of their hearts were wiped away in a moment. Elizabeth embraced the gift and grace of the miracle of God in her womb, declaring to heaven and to anyone who would hear, “This is what the Lord has done for me when He looked favorable on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people!” (v. 1:25)
You are the God who says, “Trust in the Lord, and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security. Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act” (Psalm 37:3-5). We’re not responsible for the results or the timing. All of that is in Your hands. Our part is to keep on trusting, keep on doing good, keep on committing our way to the Lord—as best as we can and all by the mercy and power of Your grace. And good things will come, our purpose and calling in our lives will be fulfilled, and there will be great days of “joy and gladness” with rejoicing in our hearts and all around us on the day when You act—all in Your time and all in Your way (Luke 1:14). In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
My friend with me in the journey of faith and prayer, I am praying for you right now for breakthrough in all your unfulfilled hopes and desires. I'm rejoicing with you in the Spirit now for the day that will come when joy and gladness fill your heart and the promises and provision of God overtake your life. May discouragement, disappointment, and doubt flee away, as persevering faith and enduring hope fill your spirit as we agree in prayer in the name of Jesus. Thank you for praying the same for me. God bless you and thank you for joining with me in the journey!
Friends, please keep Messiah Ministries in mind during your year-end giving. We're grateful for God's provision through the hearts He moves to join with us in prayer and provision to fulfill our vision and calling -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God."
We welcome your tax-deductible contributions of any amount to "Messiah Ministries" by mail at 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 or on-line at www.messiah-ministries.org or by credit card over the phone at 859-317-1591 or through the Kentucky Christian Foundation at http://www.kentuckychristianfoundation.org/ I'll be happy to talk with you about our vision, our calling, and our needs: tommyhays@aol.com Please give generously and joyfully as the Lord may lead!
Thank you and God bless you!
Reply to Tommy Hays: tommyhays@aol.com
Subscribe for Prayer: www.messiah-ministries.org
Christmas Party Dec 10th! w/ Messiah Ministries & Tommy Hays
Friends of Tommy Hays & Messiah Ministries ...
Come Join Us Friday Night, December 10th!
Messiah Ministries Christmas Party
Special Music with Paula Stefanovich!
Come for an evening of fellowship & refreshments, worship, and hearing stories of God's glory and all He is doing through Messiah Ministries at home and abroad. Come and bring friends to learn more about our ministry and join in prayer and provision for our calling and vision--
"Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God"
6:30 in the Chapel & Foyer at Centenary UMC
2800 Tates Creek Rd., Lexington
Please RSVP to Marilyn at DirOfMinistries@aol.com or 859-317-1591
God bless you and Merry Christmas from all of us at Messiah Ministries!
--Tommy Hays, Founder & Spiritual Director
Subscribe to our Events Calendar & Newsletter or
Tommy's Daily Prayer Devotional, Morning by Morning
at our New Web Site: www.messiah-ministries.org
