Luke 1:13
“But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard…”
Story of Zacharias from Luke 1:5-25; 1:57-80
Zacharias was serving as a priest before God and he was chosen to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. The people outside were praying at the time of incense. The angel of the Lord appeared to Zacharias and stood on the right side of the altar of incense. Zacharias was scared and the angel said unto him, “FEAR NOT, Zacharias: FOR THY PRAYER IS HEARD.” Elizabeth was to have a son and name him John. The angel went on to explain that John will be a special person to work for the Lord and make people ready for the coming of the Lord. Zacharias doubted the angel because he admitted that he and Elizabeth were too old to have a child. The angel introduced himself as Gabriel and he stand in the presence of God and was sent to tell Zacharias the good news.
When Zacharias could not believe the good news, Gabriel gave him a sign that he would not be able to speak until the child was born. Elizabeth was excited when she became pregnant and nine month later, she gave birth. On the circumcision day, the people want to name the baby, Zachariah, but Elizabeth said, “No”. The people made signs to Zachariah (since he couldn’t hear) to find out what he would like to name him. Zachariah asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John” and immediately Zachariah could talk again and he began praising God. All their neighbors were alarmed, and all the people who lives in the mountain of Judea, talked about the special child and how the Lord was with John.
Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied about the Lord doing great things from the time of Abraham, God’s promise and what the child, John will do when he grows up to serve the Lord.
Dorothy:
Even Zachariah who was a serving priest in the temple do get frightened when he saw an angel. The comforting thing to hear was “FEAR NOT” from Gabriel. When Zachariah doubted the promised child, he must have stopped praying for a baby since they became older. But amazing thing was his prayer was heard anyway even if he had stopped praying. Have you ever prayed for something for so long and that you have stopped praying? You felt like God isn’t doing anything about it? Let the Word of God encourage us, “Fear not, your prayer is heard”. God does hear your prayer. Here’s a song that will inspired us to keep on believing.
Collection from Inspiring Choruses:
Keep on believing, God will answer prayer;
Keep on believing, never despair;
Tho’ you be heavy laden and burdened down with care,
Remember God still loves you and He answers prayer.
