Read: Luke 1:24–25
“The Lord has done this for me,” she said.
“In these days he has shown his favor and taken away
my disgrace among the people.”
Luke 1:25
Zechariah has just blown it, so to speak. In this high and holy moment of divine intervention, he responds with an unacceptable measure of disbelief to God’s news conveyed through the angel Gabriel.
Whereas Zechariah doubts the miraculous message from Gabriel, it seems that Elizabeth (Elisabet) is instead filled with gratitude. God knows the measure of faith—or lack thereof—driving each of their responses. Even though barren and advanced in years, Elizabeth believes conception is possible.
Perhaps she remembers that the Lord performed the same miracle for Sarah (Genesis 18). Sarah was eavesdropping when the Lord appeared to Abraham, and she laughed when God said that in a year’s time she would have a son. God’s reply: “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” He answered the laughter with a son whose name, Isaac, means laughter.
Perhaps Elizabeth also remembers that the Lord performed the same miracle for Hannah (1 Samuel 1). She, too, was barren and unable to provide children for her husband, Elkanah. Eli the priest was moved by Hannah’s heartfelt prayers for a child, and he conveyed hope and peace to her. She later gave birth to Samuel, whose name means “name of God” or “God has heard.”
Indeed, God hears all of our prayers. This includes the prayers of a barren mother. He doesn’t always answer in the way we expect or on the timeline we want. Perhaps adoption is sometimes the path for a couple. Or maybe God has other plans that will be revealed in time.
Regardless, the heart cries of Sarah, Hannah, and Elizabeth are a reminder for us to persevere in prayer. God finally answers Elizabeth’s long-unanswered prayers for a child, conveying the message through the now-mute Zechariah. Her response is gratitude for God’s favor.
Jesus will one day share a parable with His disciples about this perseverance in prayer. The parable is about a widow seeking justice through a judge (Luke 18:1–8). She is so persistent that the judge grants her wish just so she will leave him alone. Jesus’ purpose for this story: “They [and we] should always pray and not give up.”
I encourage you today to think about an unanswered prayer in your life. Maybe you’ve gotten lax or have completely lost heart to keep praying for God’s answer. Don’t give up! Whether or not the Lord gives you the answer you seek, I hope He will find you persevering with praise on your lips and faith in your heart. He is sovereign. May His will be done.