Waiting

Scripture References: Luke 1:5-25, 57-80 (Zechariah & Elizabeth); Luke 1:68-79 (Benedictus); Hebrews 12:2

Intro: Welcome. We are in the season of Advent – a time designated for preparing room in our hearts for Christ's coming. While life feels busy, Advent calls us to slow down, wait, watch, and anticipate. John the Baptist personified this preparation. Today, we look at his parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth (Luke 1), whose story offers powerful lessons on how to wait well on God.

Key Points:

1. Waiting is Inevitable: Advent highlights waiting for Christ's first and second coming, but waiting is also a frequent reality in our personal lives – waiting for healing, guidance, reconciliation, breakthrough, etc. How do we navigate these seasons?
2. Zechariah & Elizabeth's Wait: They were righteous and faithful yet childless and old (Luke 1:5-7), a situation culturally associated with shame and disappointment. Their story models waiting amidst prolonged, unfulfilled longing.
3. Lesson 1: Remain Faithful Now: Despite likely decades of unanswered prayer, Zechariah faithfully served God in his priestly duties (Luke 1:8-10). Waiting well means being faithful to the responsibilities God has given us today, not neglecting the present while fixated on the future. What has He called you to be faithful with right now?
4. Lesson 2: Fight Disappointment: Waiting inevitably involves battling disappointment when reality falls short of expectations. Comparison ("What about them?") fuels this. Zechariah initially doubted the angel's promise (Luke 1:18). We must actively fight disillusionment and bitterness during the wait.
5. Lesson 3: Trust God's Timing: Zechariah and Elizabeth were "well along in years" (Luke 1:7). God's timing often differs drastically from ours. Waiting requires surrendering our timetable and trusting His wisdom. God often uses the waiting period itself to prepare us, just as Zechariah's time of silence likely deepened his faith before his prophetic outburst (Luke 1:67-79).
6. Jesus, Our Model: Jesus Himself waited, remained faithful, endured disappointment (Heb 12:2), and trusted His Father's timing completely ("Not my will, but yours"). He is our ultimate example of waiting well.

Conclusion: Waiting seasons test our faith. By following the example of Zechariah, Elizabeth, and ultimately Jesus, we can wait well – remaining faithful in our present duties, actively fighting disappointment, and consciously trusting God's perfect timing, knowing He is working even when unseen.

Call to Action:

• Identify areas where you are waiting on God.
• Commit to faithfulness in the tasks God has given you now.
• Actively fight disappointment through gratitude and trust. Refuse comparison.
• Surrender your timetable. Pray, "Father, I trust Your timing."
• Prepare room for Jesus by cultivating faithfulness, hope, and trust during this season of waiting.

radiantvisalia.com
Waiting (Luke 1:68-79)
with Danny Cantelmi