Read Luke 1:13-17
Suggested Further Reading: Psalm 40:1-10
Regarding answers to prayer, delay is not denial. Zechariah, no doubt, had often prayed for the blessing of children. His repeated re-quest appears to have been denied. At his advanced age he had probably quit praying about it, having lost all hope of being a father. Yet the first words of the angel reveal that Zechariah’s years of praying had not been forgotten (Luke 1:13).
We can learn from Zechariah’s experience that delay is not denial especially in our prayers for others. We must not dictate to God how or when He will answer our prayers.
Luke 1:14 teaches us that the birth of children brings joy, especially those who have received the grace of God and are walking in His paths. Such a spiritual blessing is a thousand times better than any-thing that the world approves of or offers to them. Many a prodigal child, when young stepped on a parent’s feet only later in life to step of a parent’s heart.
Children may receive the grace of God at a young age (Luke 1:15). It is always amazing to see what the Holy Spirit can do even in a child’s young heart. Let us be careful of limiting God’s power and compassion. With Him nothing is impossible.
True greatness, as our Lord measures greatness, is seldom honored in this life (Luke 1:15) because the world is incapable of even recognizing it. But such greatness is recognized among the angels of God. Let us pray for our children that they will receive God’s grace and seek for His commendation above everything else (1 Cor 4:5).
Lanny Tanton is the Pastor at The Bible Church of the Lakes in Horseshoe Bay, Texas – just outside of Marble Falls. Pastor Tanton welcomes you to our website and hopes that you’ll enjoy reading these insightful blog posts. Please contact us if you have further questions!!
