Pursuing Yahweh Blog

We’ve all been there.  Some of us are maybe even there now.  You know, that point at which you’ve petitioned God in prayer and you are now waiting. How long do you wait? At what point does your faith turn to cynicism?

I think there’s a point at which we can become numb and indifferent to the voice of God in our lives.  If we reach that point we will not be prepared to hear and receive the answer to our petition.

Take a look at the angel Gabriel’s announcement to the priest, Zacharias, in Luke 1:5-25.  According to Luke 1:14 Zacharias had petitioned God at some point in his life for his wife to have a child.  There’s no evidence of when this petition may have occurred in his life, but I think it’s safe to say that it likely occurred during Zacharias and Elizabeth’s child-bearing years (see verse 8).

When the angel told Zacharias that God had heard his petition and would be fulfilling it just as requested, Zacharias did not believe. Zacharias needed a sign (verse 18).  Part of me wants to say to Zacharias, “here’s your sign – look at the ANGEL in front of you!” Because of his unbelief, God elected to discipline Zacharias by taking away his ability to speak until the time of his son’s birth.

If you were to keep reading to the end of the chapter, you should notice that Mary questioned the angel’s announcement as well yet was not disciplined for unbelief.  The difference I believe is that Mary was full of faith and trust in God.  Did she have questions? Yes. However they were not questions of unbelief as was Zacharias’.

Angels or burning bushes may not confront us these days, but I believe God still speaks to us.  We must be ready. The reactions and outcomes of Zacharias and Mary can teach us three important truths in preparing to receive God’s message to us:

1. Once we petition God, we must be ready to wait and listen.

As much as we like to think our petitions to Him are urgent and require His immediate attention, we must come to realize that He will answer when He is ready. He doesn’t make us wait because He is busy and inundated with prayer requests – God is NOT the Motor Vehicle Administration.  I believe the timing is as important as the answer.  This was the case in Zacharias petition and it is true to this day.  Be still. Be patient.  God will answer.

2. When God answers our prayer, we must trust Him fully.

Zacharias was confronted by a heavenly being who: 1. knew his name and 2. knew of his petition to have a son.  Yet Zacharias needed another sign for assurance.  Maybe after all those years of waiting, Zacharias let his faith in God decrease because His prayer wasn’t answered.  And yes, he was a priest.

It can happen to any of us, even pastors.  We ask God for something, and it doesn’t happen.  We loose faith in God.  When this occurs, we fail to realize what God is doing and where he is blessing in our life.  Zacharias was a priest.  His physical needs of food and shelter were met.  He even had the honor of entering the temple to perform priestly duties before God.  Yet all these things didn’t seem to matter because it wasn’t the answer to his specific prayer.

My point here is that when you petition God, do not become so laser-focused on receiving that answer that you loose sight of what God is doing in the rest of your life.  God is much bigger than our petitions and He deserves our attention in all areas of our lives.

3. When God answers our prayers, rejoice – immediately.

Both Zacharias and Mary rejoiced and offered praise to God.  Mary’s was immediate.  Zacharias was forced into a delayed praise because of his punishment for not trusting God.

It’s not easy for anyone to petition God and patiently wait on His answer.  My prayer is that you’ll take these truths to heart and find joy in the process. It is an honor to serve the Lord and wait on Him.  He knows our needs and our desires. Trust God.

-BP

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