Biblical hope is anchored in faith. Specifically, it is an active faith that looks beyond present circumstances to future possibilities with God. Maintaining hope in every season is important, but it’s especially critical in times when the wait seems long and prayers remain unanswered.

In Luke 1, we are introduced to Zechariah and Elizabeth, seasoned saints. They share a committed love for each other, Yahweh and His people. However, they’ve never been able to share their love with a child as they are childless.

Infertility is heartbreaking in every generation.  But it is potentially more so for a couple in the first century BC when children were a tangible sign of God’s blessing, and a family of two was regarded as less than. While it’s not recorded in scripture, it’s altogether possible that following a lifetime of waiting and still no baby, this faithful couple felt hopeless. We get an indication that this very well may have been the condition that Zechariah was in when his story began.

The narrative opens quite ordinarily with Zechariah serving at his regularly scheduled time in the temple. Although this was an honor for priests, he had done this many times before, and by now it had become routine, predictable, and safe. Zechariah had no idea that on this particular day his prayer would be answered and his life would be forever changed.

As was the custom for priests, Zechariah went into the temple to burn incense to the Lord. As incense filled the atmosphere, suddenly an angel appeared and spoke to him. Initially, Zechariah was overwhelmed, but the angel immediately responded,
Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord…. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.
Luke 1:13-17 (NLT)

This prophetic word was much more than Zechariah could have ever dared to imagine. While he would have been overjoyed solely with the news of a son, this promise exceeded his greatest desire. Sadly however, after many years of unanswered prayer, somewhere along the way Zechariah had stopped expecting, stopped trusting, stopped hoping. Unfortunately, in the moment of the angel’s pronouncement it was more than he could believe and Zechariah responded faithlessly. As a result, he was immediately silenced and therefore unable to speak for the remainder of Elizabeth’s pregnancy.

There’s something really beautiful about periods of solitude in our lives. God uses these seasons to draw us close to Him. It is in these times when we are speechless, that we are more inclined to listen to what God has to say.

I think it’s worth noting that while Zechariah’s son was being shaped in Elizabeth’s womb, God was simultaneously reshaping hope in Zechariah. Both father and son were, therefore, in a very real sense being formed.

It is because of this that I am of the conviction that Zechariah’s muteness was not a punishment, but rather a plan that God used to protect, promote, and ultimately position him for the promise to have a son.

New Life, Restored Hope

On the day John is born, his infant cry fills the air and Zechariah and Elizabeth are filled with great joy. Following a communal protest regarding naming him John, the new father motions for a tablet and confirms his new son’s name, and instantly his speech is restored.

His name is John.
Luke 1:63 (NLT)

The sound of Zechariah’s voice was heard once again! The doubts he’d expressed just nine months prior had been replaced. God was with him in his season of quiet and the first words he uttered after nine months of soundlessness were spoken from a newly restored heart of hope.

Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people.
Luke 1:68 (NLT)

Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.
Luke 1:78-79 (NLT)

During this first week of Advent may this inspiring story encourage us to remain hopeful in the God who makes the impossible possible. This is especially critical during seasons of unanswered prayer when the waiting seems long.

Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.
Psalms 42:11 (AMP)

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For Reflection

  • In your own words describe what it means to practically place your hope in God.
  • Why is hoping in God different from hoping in anything or anyone else? Explain your answer.
  • If you are in a season of waiting, what steps can you take to maintain a healthy level of hope? Be specific.
  • Is there someone in your life who, like Zechariah, is experiencing hopelessness right now? If so, how can you encourage them to wait in faith and with hope?