Signs in the Silence: A Listening Ear And A Growing Faith
As Zechariah’s tablet revealed the name John, a wordless, wide-eyed wonder spread through the room. The whispers rose again, questions darting from one person to another. Why John? What could this mean?
But in the midst of the commotion, imagine the quiet moment shared between Zechariah and Elizabeth. Their eyes met, a knowing smile exchanged. Elizabeth, proud of her husband’s courage, and Zechariah, grateful for her steadfast faith. In their shared obedience, they had honored God’s will and proclaimed His work to their community.
Prayers and Silence – When God Breaks Through
It had been over 400 years since God's last recorded words to His people through the prophet Malachi. Generations had come and gone, waiting for the promised Messiah, clinging to prophecies that must have seemed like fading echoes. Zechariah had experienced a deeply personal divine silence. His prayers for a child went unanswered for years until they finally yielded to the reality of age. But God had not forgotten. The angel brought word from God and shattered the silence. Zechariah's prayer—whether for a son or Israel's salvation had reached heaven. And God's response, in a moment of angelic revelation, would be greater than he could have ever imagined.
The Sacred Routine
But then, the unexpected happened. Zechariah stood and listened as he had so many times before, but today would be different—the lot fell to him for the most sacred task of all: offering incense in the Holy Place. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity placed him alone in the Holy Place, standing before the altar of incense, symbolizing the prayers of Israel. It was the moment every priest longed for, yet one many would never experience. What may have seemed like an ordinary day of service must have suddenly felt like a monumental occasion, a testament to the extraordinary ways in which God can work through the ordinary.
Waiting in Silence
In a world where waiting often feels wasted, Zechariah and Elizabeth remind us of the power of faithfulness in the face of silence. Their righteousness wasn’t a guarantee of a pain-free life. Instead, their suffering—their childlessness—became the stage 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. Their waiting mirrors ours, reminding us that God’s timing is perfect, even when it feels delayed.