God Remembers
(love 2/14)In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest of Abijah’s division named Zechariah. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both were righteous in God’s sight, living without blame according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord. But they had no children because Elizabeth could not conceive, and both of them were well along in years. Luke 1:5-7
In the scripture above Luke is giving us a summary of what happen to John the baptist’s parents. As I was studying the book of Luke the Holy Spirit prompted me to stop and look closely at this scripture. He wanted me to understand that there were so many messages in this passage of encouragement.
The letter starts by telling us their location. They live in Judea which the Israelite people were now split into two regions because of Solomon’s disobedience to God (1 Kings 11). Judea is the Southern nation and it consist of Judah and Benjamin and Jerusalem is the capital of Judea. This is where John the Baptist parents live.
John’s father’s name was Zechariah which means God remembers or God recalls. When you look up the word remember it means brings ones mind to awareness and recall means to bring back to ones mind. Every time some called Zechariah’s name they were reminding him that God recalls. God remembers your prayer request. Your petitions have not been forgotten. Zechariah’s name is a confirmation to him that God hears his prayers. God had not forgotten any of his requests.
His wife is Elizabeth’s name means God is my oath. When I looked up the word oath it means a solemn pledge. Every time someone said her name they were saying her life is pledged to God. Luke goes on to tell us about their character. He says, “They were both upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly.”
Scripture teaches us that they had prayed for children, yet God had not answered their prayer. It clearly says Elizabeth was barren. God had closed her womb! Many times when we pray for something and it is in alignment with the Word of God and there is no answer, our mind takes on a journey of its own. We began to look inward and think we have something to do with why God has not answered our prayers. Sometimes this could be true, we could be in sin somewhere and God will reveal that to us. But in this case God had held her womb closed.
This passage is such confirmation that when we pray, God hears us. When we pray God remembers and recalls our prayers. When the answer to our prayer does not come as we expect, we must be encouraged that we are in alignment with God’s will and He has purpose for His response. Even in their desires not being met Zechariah and Elizabeth continue to obey God and live an upright life.
Satan is always there to fill our heart with lies, but we have to be steadfast and unmovable and always abiding in the word of God. Staying in the word of God is the only way to fight the battle of lies going on in our mind. I am reminded of the scripture that says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct our path.”
We can only imagine how many times Zechariah and Elizabeth had to say to themselves, “We trust you God.” As a young couple I am sure their friends were having children and it hurt very deeply that they could not. In their community in those days when a woman could not have a child it was extremely disgraceful for the women. Yet they were right in the plan that God had for them. We must remember that even though at times we are in a devastating place, God is there with us and He has a plan.
Perhaps you were in a season where it was difficult and hard and only God could have delivered you, but he didn’t. I want to encourage with these words. God says, “My plans aren’t your plans, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my plans than your plans.” (Isaiah 55:8-10) I’m sure there were many times that Zechariah and Elizabeth wished they understood God’s plan, but He had more for them than they could ever imagine. Their son John the Baptist was the forerunner for Jesus Christ! He was anointed with the Holy Spirit in her womb!! God had hand selected them for a purpose that they could have never imagined.
Are you are feeling the loss of hope? Just know that as a child of the Most High God, scripture says, “Glory to God, who is able to do far beyond all that we could ask or imagine by his power at work within us…” Amen.
Father,
I pray that we will know the love of Christ that is beyond knowledge so that we will be filled entirely with the fullness of God in the name of Yeshua Hamashiach. Amen!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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