Waiting For God
Read
Luke 1:45 “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
Luke 1:7 “But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.”
Think
The dreams feel so close, yet just out of reach. The prayers are steady, the effort unwavering, but silence seemed to be the only response. Waiting—especially during a season as magical as Christmas—has a way of magnifying the ache.
Zechariah and Elizabeth knew that kind of ache. They longed for a child, but year after year passed without an answer. They were faithful, living righteously before God, yet their hearts carried the weight of unmet dreams. How many times did they cry out, Why not us, Lord? Have You forgotten us?
Then, seemingly out of nowhere, everything changed. Elizabeth conceived a son, not just any son, but John the Baptist—the one who would prepare the way for the Messiah. All their years of waiting, the prayers that seemed unanswered, suddenly made sense. God’s timing wasn’t late; it was perfect.
Christmas is a season filled with waiting—countdowns to celebrations, the anticipation of gifts, and the longing for time with loved ones. But the waiting in the Christmas story holds a much deeper significance. For centuries, God’s people had waited for the promised Messiah. Prophets spoke of his coming, but generations passed without seeing it. When Jesus was finally born in Bethlehem, it wasn’t just the fulfillment of one promise; it was the answer to every prayer for redemption.
What about you? Are you waiting for something this Christmas—healing, restoration, or a dream to come true? Do you wonder if God hears your prayers? Elizabeth’s story reminds us that God’s delays aren’t denials. He is working in the silence, preparing something greater than we can imagine.
Christmas invites us to trust in the God who keeps his promises. Just as Jesus came at the perfect time, God’s plans for your life will unfold in his perfect timing. Even if the answers come differently than expected, we can trust that he is faithful. This season, as you wait, let the hope of Christmas fill your heart. Remember the God who came to us as a baby in Bethlehem is the same God working in your story today.
Apply
Memorize Isaiah 40:31 (ESV) "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Let this verse anchor your heart during periods of waiting.
Pray
Lord, thank you for being faithful, even when the waiting feels hard. Help me to trust in your perfect timing and plan, knowing that you see the bigger picture. Renew my strength as I hope in you and remind me that you are always working for my good and your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.