Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations – Luke 1:6 NLT
Over the past few months, Zechariah being unable to talk has been strange but he’s a different man, he seems to have renewed energy and a sparkle in his eyes. He reminds me of the young Zechariah I married many years ago. I was slightly worried about his muteness, but he assured me it was temporal.
The first few days after his encounter, Zechariah wrote a description of his encounter and gave it to me to read. He was visited by an angel called Gabriel and he said many will rejoice at our son’s birth and he’s going to be great before God.
I have found the whole encounter overwhelming and humbling. It also dawned on me that God has broken His silence, and He chose to speak and visit my family! He is also blessing us with a child in our old age. Who are we that He has chosen to look on us so favourably?
I’ve not been able to tell anyone yet, but I can feel the child growing in me and I also have this certainty that God has just started.
One afternoon, about six months into my pregnancy, I was visited by Mary a relative from Galilee. As she entered the house and greeted me, the baby inside me leaped and suddenly I said: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” *
Mary looked at me stunned and asked, “How did you know?”
“Know what?”
“That I’ve been visited by the Lord…”
“Blessed be the Lord, sit and tell me everything.”
We spent the afternoon exchanging details about the Lord’s visit. It was the same angel – Gabriel who delivered the message to Mary and also told her I was expecting a son. On hearing the events that had taken place, all Mary could do was praise God.
As prophesied by Angel Gabriel, I gave birth to a son and on the eighth day I insisted that he should be called John. But those present didn’t think it was an appropriate name, so they asked Zechariah and he confirmed our son’s name by writing it on a tablet to everyone’s astonishment.
However, as he wrote the name, his tongue was released, and he started talking again. He praised God and prophesied over John saying, “He would be called a prophet of the Most High; he would go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him…” *
Not long after, Mary gave birth to her child, he was called Jesus. His birth was announced far and wide!
With all the events that took place, I now realise that God hadn’t forsaken us as His people. We have a God who keeps His promises. He doesn’t work according to our agenda or timings, and He is never late. He always answers prayers, and they will most likely be answered in ways we don’t expect because He is sovereign and in control. So, hang in there, keep the faith and keep believing!
(The End.)
*Luke 1: 42-45, 76 (NIV)
Merry Christmas and stay blessed,
LaraLex
Hills and Valleys 