Waiting in Silence
Scripture: Luke 1:4-7
“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.” (Luke 1:5–7, ESV)
In God’s story, silence is never wasted, but waiting in silence is one of the most difficult parts of faith. Zechariah and Elizabeth knew silence. Their house was missing something they desperately wanted—a child. It was never about noise or decibels; it was the stillness of an empty home and the aching silence of unanswered prayers. Year after year, they asked, pleaded, and hoped for a child, but heaven seemed silent.
In many ways, their story mirrored Israel’s. It had been four hundred years since God last spoke through a prophet. Generations had come and gone, clinging to promises and hoping that things would be different. Time has a way of eroding hope. Yet, in this time of what seemed to be silence, something cosmic was taking place, and things were about to change forever. In the midst of their disappointment, Zechariah and Elizabeth’s lives stand out. They didn’t give up on God or abandon their faith. They didn’t give in to frustration and anger until bitterness consumed them. Instead, Scripture tells us they were righteous before God, walking blamelessly in His commandments (Luke 1:6). They weren’t perfect, but they were faithful.
Faithful even when life hurts. Faithful even when it seemed that God might be punishing them. Faithful even when the rumors swirled: “Perhaps they’ve sinned; why else would they be barren?” Faithful even as the years passed, disappointment became a constant companion, and hope seemed a distant memory. A relentless faith that stared down the years stared down the doubts and stared down the empty rooms in their house.
What are you supposed to do when things aren’t going your way and you are struggling with anger, fear, and doubt? This elderly couple shows us the way to live in the midst of waiting in silence. As a priest, Zechariah served in the temple twice a year. It was his sacred duty, a rhythm that likely brought some consistency and comfort amid the silence. And Elizabeth, a descendant of Aaron herself, found worship in the ordinary. Together, they showed us that waiting isn’t passive. It’s an act of trust and steady obedience to God’s call, even when we can’t see what He’s doing.
This wasn’t the life they had planned. It wasn’t the life they wanted, but it was the path God had chosen for this couple. However, they could never have imagined what God was about to do—the silence was about to be broken. God had been working all along, weaving their story into His greater plan of redemption.
The Faithfulness of Zechariah and Elizabeth
In a world where waiting feels like wasted time, Zechariah and Elizabeth remind us of the power of faithfulness in the face of silence and suffering. Their righteousness wasn’t a guarantee of a pain-free life. Instead, their pain—their childlessness—became the platform for God’s glory to be revealed.
Sometimes, we equate suffering with punishment, but Scripture shows us a different story. Zechariah and Elizabeth weren’t barren because of sin; they were chosen for a greater purpose through suffering. Their waiting mirrors ours, reminding us that God’s timing is perfect, even when it feels delayed.
Reflection: Trusting God in the Silence
Waiting is hard. It’s easy to feel forgotten when prayers seem unanswered, and life doesn’t turn out the way we’d hoped. Yet Zechariah and Elizabeth remind us that waiting isn’t wasted. It is meant to fortify our faith. In the silence, they continued to worship and obey, trusting in God’s goodness and timing.
What are you waiting for today?
Perhaps it’s an answer to prayer, a restored relationship, or clarity in uncertainty. Like Zechariah and Elizabeth, we are called to trust that God is working, even in the silence. In the waiting, we must trust and obey.
Practical Steps for Worship in Waiting
Reflect on past seasons of waiting: Where has God moved in ways you couldn’t see at the time?
Offer your waiting to God: Take one area of your life where you feel stuck or unheard and surrender it in prayer.
Practice faithfulness in small things: Turn your daily routines and rhythms into acts of worship, honoring God through consistent obedience.
A Prayer for Trust in Seasons of Waiting
Lord, waiting is hard, and silence can feel heavy. Help me to trust You while I feel stuck in the in-between moments. When I can’t see what You’re doing, remind me that You are always at work. Strengthen my faith as I wait, and help me to worship You in the silence. Amen.
Quote to Reflect On:
“True faith is able to wait for the fulfillment of God’s purposes in God’s time. But, while we are waiting, we must also be obeying.”
Why Zechariah and Elizabeth ENCOURAGE Us
The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth isn’t just about waiting—it’s about trusting God through every unanswered question. It’s about faithfulness in the silence and hope in the waiting. This Advent season, let their story encourage you to worship in the waiting and trust God’s work in the silence and his perfect timing in the waiting.
