History Books in 90 Days: 1 Samuel 7-9
ZECHARIAH & ELIZABETH
Luke 1:13 13But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard.
Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. (NIV)
Over the next few days we are going to look at the spectators of the birth of Christ - those who were
the witnesses of Christ’s birth and their significance. Zachariah was a priest who, together with
his wife, was upright, observing the Lords commandments blamelessly (Luke 1:6) but they had no
children. In Biblical days this was seen as an ultimate curse from the Lord. After years of praying,
God answered their prayers and they had a son, John the Baptist. Zachariah doubted God when
the angel of the Lord told Him of this news and therefore was smitten mute until John was born.
Zachariah would have known the Scriptures – the wonderful birth of Isaac, Samuel and Samson
showed what God had accomplished in the past and therefore he had no excuse to doubt. Elizabeth
had been barren throughout her childbearing years yet God answers her prayers for a child, what
HOPE this brings to those of us who have long term prayer projects! As soon as Mary conceived
she visited the home of Elizabeth. Elizabeth’s baby leapt within her womb (Luke 1:41), with clarity
and spiritual insight Elizabeth called Mary “the mother of my Lord”. Elizabeth recognized the truth
about the unborn child. What happiness these women must of experienced; what joy in submitting
themselves to God’s plan for His people.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Are there areas in your life where you doubt God? Ask the Lord to give you insight on why you
doubt Him.
2. Is there an area in your life where you are dry or barren? Do you need an infusion of Christ to
provide you with life in that area? Ask the Lord to revive you in that area and to give you a new
HOPE. Ask Him for a word, thought or picture of what He wants to do in that area.
3. Ask the Lord to empower you to keep on enduring through the tough times, to keep praying
even though the answers seem far away, to stay focused on Him and dedicated to persevering.
