Morning by Morning—Daily Prayer Journey with Tommy Hays: Sometimes Isolated but Never Separated from the Presence of God and Fulfillment of His Promises

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Sometimes Isolated but Never Separated from the Presence of God and Fulfillment of His Promises - December 16, 2020

Morning by Morning, December 16 - Sometimes Isolated but Never Separated from the Presence of God and Fulfillment of His Promises

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I welcome here in the Bethlehem of my heart and the manger of my spirit -- heart to heart and deep to deep. ...

"After those days (Zechariah's) wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, 'This is what the Lord has done for me when He looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I endured among my people'" (Luke 1:24-25).

Elizabeth knew the God of miracles had burst into her life to conceive the life of an anointed son in her barren womb. She knew the favor of God had come upon her, even as she still endured the shame and reproach from the people that had come upon her during all the long years of her barrenness. Even so, she "remained in seclusion."

Maybe this season of seclusion and isolation came out of a measure of doubt -- choosing to believe this miracle of God, but at the same time just needing to carry this child and feel it move for a few months just to make sure her miracle was real and would last. Maybe this season came out of a measure of shame -- thanking God for all He had done but also afraid of all the people might say, maybe even mocking her or making fun of her for her faith in such a foolish thing to believe she had conceived a child in her elder years. Maybe she even wondered if she had been under the curse of God rather than the favor of God. Or maybe, just maybe, this season, if fact, came out of a deep measure of trust -- choosing to trust the promises of God and the timing of God, the God who takes time to bring to pass His promises at just the right time and sovereignly in His time and His way.

The truth is there would soon come a time--in the fullness of time--when Elizabeth, Zechariah, and all the people would look and see what God had done! All would soon see God's promises fufliflled in the birth of Elizabeth's anointed son John, who would "be filled with the Holy Spirit" while still in his mother's womb (Luke 1:14). Just like the angel Gabriel had declared at the command of the Lord, her son would prepare the way of the Lord "with the spirit and power of Elijah" turning hearts to God and to one another (Luke 1:15-17).

Elizabeth's season of seclusion would be turned to joy. Her time of isolation would lead to deeper intimacy. Her days of doubt and disgrace would be turned to celebration and joy in the favor of God for all to see! (Luke 1:25) Her story gives us hope for our story! Her faith stirs up grace for our faith!

Lord, give us grace in the seasons of seclusion and the times of isolation. Give us grace to wait on You, to rest in You, to yield to Your timing and trust in Your ways. Give us grace to persevere with expectant faith for the days of fulfillment and favor in Your joy to come. Give us grace to embrace Your Presence while we wait and we pray for the provision of Your promises.

Even our seasons of seclusion and isolation are not seasons apart from You. It was during her seclusion that Elizabeth had one of the most powerful spiritual encounters of her life. Her young relative named Mary would come to see her in her place of seclusion -- almost as if to remind her that even though she was hidden away from the world for a season, she was not hidden away from God (Luke 1:36). The miraculous child in Elizabeth's womb would leap with joy in the presence of the miraculous Child in Mary's womb, as "Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit" (Luke 1:39-45). In her great joy, she celebrated the faith and favor of both of their lives as women who trusted the God of miracles in His timing and His ways, shouting, "Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord!" (Luke 1:45)

Come, Holy Spirit. Fill us afresh today to sing with joy of the goodness of God. You are always faithful and true. It may not always be in our timing and in the way we would choose, but You're the God of miracles who rolls away all reproach and shame, doubt and worry, frustration and fear, to give us the grace to keep trusting in You and Your promises.

Through every season, Your Presence and Your power are with us and Your favor is upon us, as children of God and disciples of Christ. You never forget us or never forsake us, You never leave us out or leave us behind. And every word of Your promises will be fulfilled -- all in Your time, all in Your way, and all for Your glory. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays

My friend, may you be filled with the Holy Spirit and expectant faith as you wait on the promises of God which will certainly be fulfilled in His perfect time and His sovereign way, in Jesus name. Please pray the same for me. And I join with you and so many in prayer for our nation through this challenging time. God bless you, my friend!