In my final article for 2023, I would like to do something a little different. I am grateful for the opportunity to write the features for the Religion section. It has challenged and stretched me, and I have grown in many ways. Many of the interviews I conducted have felt like divine appointments that poured into me spiritually and inspired me. I hope it has been like that for the faithful readers.

This article is a devotional thought. To be completely transparent, this year was not a season of deep Bible study for me. I became a first-time mum, and it was a season of prayer, surrender, deepening my trust in God’s process, and learning what intimate time with God looks like in this new season of life and motherhood.

With that said, I found myself in the first chapter of Luke, focusing mainly on the narrative of Zechariah and Elizabeth. I encourage you to read the chapter. I will be highlighting some of the verses that resonated with me.

Starting with Luke 1:5-7: “In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

“And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.”

This passage stood out due to the description of their relationship and lifestyle with God: “Righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord.”

Directly after this statement, it was revealed that they were unable to conceive, and Elizabeth was barren. This is significant because trials, tribulations, and prosperity are not conditional on our relationship with God or our good works.

It served as a reminder that having a relationship with God helps us to get through and navigate life’s trials with a peace beyond understanding. And it is our choice to let our works reflect our faith in who God is in the midst of life’s challenges. It is also a reminder that God works miracles and brings life to barren places.

In Luke 1:11-13: “And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.”

This verse contained the core lesson I have been meditating on for the last half of this year. When the angel of the Lord said, “Your prayer has been heard,” it caused me to pause.

When the angel appeared to Zechariah, through the context given, we understand that he advanced in years. It made me ask some questions. When did Zechariah first pray for his wife to conceive? How many times did Zechariah earnestly petition God in his prayers for his wife to conceive? Did he come to a point where he questioned whether God heard his prayers? After a certain age, did he stop praying for a child?

As one finishes the chapter, it is revealed that Elizabeth does conceive a son whose calling in life was to make the paths straight before the Lord and prepare the people of that day for the ministry of the Messiah.

In this case, God’s delay in answering Zechariah’s prayer was because their son was meant to be born for a specific time and purpose in history, not a moment before or after.

It is not easy to condense such a wealth of lessons into a snapshot for an article. However, I hope to convey the takeaway that there is comfort in knowing that God hears our prayers. There is peace in the reality that our prayers reach the ears of the all-knowing, and we can trust not only in His answer but also in the timing of His answer.

As we approach 2024, I want to encourage us with Jeremiah 29:12–13: “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

I hope to encourage those in a season of waiting to continue to seek a relationship with God earnestly and that you are comforted and granted wisdom in whatever season you are in.

With love,

Chelsea