Zechariah & Elizabeth — Hearing God in the Waiting

Zechariah and Elizabeth had prayed for a child for decades. Their longing was deep, their faith steady, and yet God seemed silent. When the angel, Gabriel, finally appeared, Zechariah doubted and was struck silent until the promise of a child was fulfilled. This story shows that waiting isn’t just passive or wasted time; it’s a time when God is at work, even when we cannot see it.

God’s silence does not mean absence. Often, it’s shaping our hearts, preparing us for the fulfillment of his promises. Waiting requires trust, patience, and the belief that God is faithful to his word. Elizabeth’s joyful response upon giving birth to John the Baptist reminds us that God’s timing is perfect, even when human timing feels unbearable.

Waiting transforms character. Zechariah’s inability to speak gave him time to reflect, and Elizabeth’s faithful endurance prepared her for the miracle of John’s birth. For those of us waiting on God, whether for a relationship, a job, or healing, the message is the same: he is still at work. Even when we can’t hear him clearly, God is orchestrating the details and preparing us for what’s to come.

Our challenge today is to listen and trust during seasons of silence. God may not answer on our timetable, but his promises never fail. Waiting becomes sacred when we choose to stay attentive and faithful, watching for the ways God is moving around us, even in unseen ways.

Reflect: What have you been waiting for? How can you trust God’s timing instead of giving in to frustration?
Prayer: Miracle-worker, teach me to trust you in the waiting and to listen carefully for the ways you reveal yourself.