Luke 1:8-9 (NIV)

Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.

Reflection Questions

  1. Would you describe yourself as more of a patient or impatient person?
  2. “Don’t stop praying and never give up.” Are there any prayers that haven’t been answered yet and you have stopped praying but want to start back praying in this season?
  3. What prayers or desires are you offering to God this Advent season, and how can you trust His timing in answering them?

Devotion

In Luke 1:8-9, we find Zechariah, a priest, going about his duties, chosen by lot to enter the temple and burn incense before God. It was a routine part of his service, but it was also a great honor. Little did he know that this moment of faithful service would become the setting for an extraordinary encounter with God. Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, had long been waiting for a child, praying for a miracle that seemed impossible at this point in their lives. Yet Zechariah remained faithful, serving God even in the face of disappointment and unfulfilled longings.

This passage invites us to reflect on how we approach seasons of waiting. Zechariah had one chance in his lifetime to be this close to the presence of God, yet he likely carried with him the weight of unanswered prayers. As we journey through Advent, a season of waiting and anticipation, we are reminded that even in our ordinary, faithful service, God is at work. Our prayers, like the incense Zechariah offered, rise before God. Sometimes, we may feel as if God is silent, but He hears every prayer, and His timing is perfect.

Zechariah’s faithfulness, even in his waiting, encourages us to continue serving God with hope and expectation. Advent is a time to remember that God is faithful to His promises. Just as He would soon reveal His plan to Zechariah in a miraculous way, God is working in our lives, often when we least expect it. As we wait for the celebration of Jesus’ birth and His promised return, may we, like Zechariah, serve with hearts full of faith, trusting that God is always listening and always working.