Have you ever prayed for something, and then the answer was not as expected, or worse yet, have you given up hope that it would ever be answered and have moved on? When our focus is off ourselves and serving others, this may be just the time that God moves.

And then God….

Zechariah and Elizabeth were childless, and Elizabeth was barren. Scripture says, despite their circumstances, they were righteous before God (Luke 1:6). Can we be faithful despite our circumstances? When this couple was way past the age of having children, Zechariah was chosen to go before the Lord into the Temple to pray for his nation, people, and Messiah to come. And then God moved; He sent an angel, not just any angel, but Gabriel (one of only two angels mentioned in scripture by name) with a birth announcement. A son who would prepare the way for the Lord, Messiah. Zecharia was not only told that he would have a son, the sex of the child, but also his character. He was going to be a man of God. Zechariah’s prayers were answered in a mighty way and fulfilled three Old Testament prophesies (Isaiah 40:3-5, Mal 3:1, and Mal 4:5).

“Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight and the rough places smooth; The glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” Isaiah 40:3-5