Abbey Advent: Longsuffering Week 4 day 1

Day 1:  Longsuffering, Silence, and Solitude - Zechariah and Elizabeth

Text: Luke 1: 13-25; 57-64

Have you ever believed God for something for so long that you stopped believing it was possible?  That was Zechariah and Elizabeth’s testimony. They righteously walked before the Lord but found themselves old in age, barren, without children. It is painful to serve God faithfully without seeing the fruitfulness of your labor.

Zechariah and Elizabeth suffered through the barrenness so long it produced discouragement and doubt.  They kept praying for others, but they stopped believing that God would answer the prayers they had for themselves.

Zechariah’s response to His promise was to question its possibility, so God shut his mouth.  God didn’t want anyone to question Elizabeth about what He was producing in her, so he shut her in.  Sometimes seasons of silence and isolation are divinely orchestrated to keep you from messing up your miracle.  

Sometimes you need to be separated from the negative voices in your head and in your circles so that you can see God perform what He promised.  You don’t have to explain what He’s doing in your life. If you can endure the silence and solitude, God will release you to publicly celebrate your delivery, and the deliverance.

Reflection

Morning Pause:  Are there any areas of your life where suffering has caused doubt, and you’ve stopped believing God?  Reflect on any promises you’ve given up on or prayers you’ve stopped praying.

Afternoon Pause:  Elizabeth went to share her news with her cousin, and they both rejoiced in the promises of God.  Who has God placed in your life to encourage you, or to be encouraged by you, in the waiting period?  If you’ve been distant, reach out to them this week.

Evening Pause:  Pray that your faith will endure and that others who are discouraged or feeling unfulfilled will not grow weary in well-doing.