Week 1 — Thursday: Waiting On The Lord

Luke 1:8-17 

In Luke 1, Zechariah is told by an angel of the Lord that he and his wife, Elizabeth, would have a child in their old age. The Lord looked down with compassion and granted them their desire. When Elizabeth heard the news, she said, “How kind the Lord is. He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.” (Luke 1:25). Why did the Lord make them wait until they were old to grant them the desires of their heart? Why does God withhold good things from His children? If God is a God of love, why does He not grant to His children things that would make them happy? 

As a child, I asked my earthly father for many things. They were good things, at least from the eyes of a child they seemed good. But my father did not give me everything I wanted. And to be honest, I had to ask myself, “What kind of a father gives his children everything they want?” Was my father unloving when he told me “No.” to the things I wanted? Of course not. In many cases he knew better. He knew that the things I wanted, ultimately would not be good for me. The candy bar from the local feed store would satisfy my immediate hunger but would make it hard for me to eat a good dinner. If he gave in to my request to skip my chores, I would not learn how to work hard and be responsible. If he gave me every material thing I asked for, I would not learn the value of money. 

Who can really know the mind of God? Who can fathom His wisdom? Exodus 33:19 says, “…I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious and I will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.” When I do not understand the reason that God is not answering my prayer in the way I want, I know I can trust His heart—the heart of a loving Father who knows what is best for His child. 

—CONTRIBUTED BY NANCY SKILES —