December 9

DECEMBER 9

READ

Luke 1:67-79

DEVOTION

One of the wisest pieces of advice I’ve ever been given is to avoid praying for patience. Why? Because you have no room to complain when given a REASON to practice patience if you pray for it. Zechariah certainly had to practice this discipline. A little earlier in the chapter his ability to speak was taken from him. For about nine months he was unable to say a word! When he could finally speak, though, he skipped the complaints, the apologies, and the explanations. He went straight to praise. And the thing is, there was still plenty to be patient for. Zechariah, being a priest, would have been well aware of Isaiah’s prophecy about the coming messiah. At this point, that prophecy was still yet to be fulfilled. Rome was still in charge. But, God had made a promise specifically to him and, seeing it fulfilled, he couldn’t help but give praise once his ability to do so was restored. He knew that when God promises, there is no question of whether it will be fulfilled. There is only when. Even in the midst of a 400 year wait, Zechariah knew this. So, a nine month wait probably put things in perspective.

What is testing your patience today? A situation at work? A doctor’s report that is taking longer to arrive than you would hope? An ongoing issue with your children? 

REFLECT

Remember this:

Even while we wait, God is working.

PRAY

Thank You, Lord, for Your faithfulness. We know that we can take You at Your Word. Thank You for guiding us through the darkness while we wait to see what You are going to do. Amen.