Zechariah’s Promise

By Karen Jordan –

The Prayer. How do you pray for a couple, intensely focused on having a baby, but face continual disappointment? That question haunted me as I prayed for my son Adam and his wife Jenni. Following five miscarriages in six years, their hopes grew dim. But the desire to be parents continued to birth encouragement in their hearts.

Lord, You promise in Your Word to provide all of our needs (Phil. 4:19). But only You know their needs, and the Bible says that You know “exactly what (we) need even before (we) ask … (Matt. 6:8 NLT).

The Promise. Soon after I prayed, I learned of a sixth conception. So, the next waiting period ensued. And we tossed hope around our discussions, as we tried to ignore our fear of another loss.

As I continued to pray for our children and my new grandchild, I recalled another couple, Zechariah and Elizabeth, who asked God for a baby. And an angel told Zechariah, “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 … ” (Luke 1:13-14).

At first, Zechariah questioned this promise; so, he was silenced, until the child was born, because of his unbelief. (20)

But Elizabeth, his wife, did become pregnant, and she acknowledged, “The Lord has done this for me” (25 TNIV). And at the birth of their son, even though other people questioned her about the name they had chosen for their son. Elizabeth obeyed the words spoken to her husband and declared, “He is to be called John” (60).

When Zechariah confirmed this chosen name, another promise was fulfilled: “Instantly Zechariah could speak again, and he began praising God. Awe fell upon the whole neighborhood, and the news of what had happened spread throughout the Judean hills. Everyone who heard about it reflected on these events and asked, ‘What will this child turn out to be?’ For the hand of the Lord was surely upon him in a special way.” (64-66).

This story encouraged our family with the promise of God’s faithfulness. And even though fear and unbelief poked their ugly heads out at times, the light of God’s Word continued to remind us of His promises and dispelled our fear of the unknown days ahead.

Jenni daily set her alarm for the two injections her doctor prescribed, hoping for a healthy baby. Weeks turned into months. And they expanded the small two-bedroom house to include another special bedroom for the child they believed God had promised them.

A blue and green nursery evolves after Jenni’s ultra-sound image revealed the true identity of their firstborn—a boy. Children’s picture books, toys, baskets, and a framed image of this unborn little boy decorated the bookcase. Newborn shoes lined part of one shelf, and a tiny wardrobe hung proudly in the closet. Jenni’s parents provided a cozy rocker for the corner of the nursery.

I anticipated my moments of peace—cuddling, hugging, and singing lullabies to my newest grandson. A pale blue blanket hung on end of the crib with his carefully chosen name—Zachary (“Remembrance of the Lord”) embroidered across one corner in dark blue stitching.

As a testimony of God’s faithfulness, Jenni displayed five scripture promises on the nursery wall—faith, hope, love, joy, and peace—representing the heart-shaped losses they experienced on their journey to parenthood.

The Praise. As we waited in the hospital for the carefully planned arrival, we launched the new mom and dad off to the delivery room with a prayer of protection and peace.

Little Zach arrived on schedule with strong lungs and a delicately wrinkled brow. Most people overlooked Zach’s miraculous entry into our troubled world. But those who attended this birth event had watched God work miracles for the previous nine months. And we recognized God’s miraculous hand on this young family.

Zach’s squinted eyes peeked to see a dozen people with smiles and tears who had fervently prayed for him over the past months and years. Then, he drifted off once again to his land of dreams.

Lord, I asked you for a miracle, but did I truly believe

That You’re still a God of miracles, and I would soon receive

A miracle of miracles sent down just for me?

Now, I believe in miracles—for a miracle, I did see!

Karen Jordan is best known for telling the stories that matter most. Karen’s writing workshops have been popular in multiple venues, and she has written for several publications and book compilations. As a CLASSeminars certified speaker, Karen is available to address topics about faith, family, and writing. Website: http://www.karenjordan.net