Today’s Reading: Luke 1:57-64; Psalm 83 & 109

When it was time for Elizabeth’s baby to be born, she gave birth to a son. And when her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had been very merciful to her, everyone rejoiced with her.

When the baby was eight days old, they all came for the circumcision ceremony. They wanted to name him Zechariah, after his father. But Elizabeth said, “No! His name is John!”

“What?” they exclaimed. “There is no one in all your family by that name.” So they used gestures to ask the baby’s father what he wanted to name him. He motioned for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s surprise he wrote, “His name is John.” Instantly Zechariah could speak again, and he began praising God. – Luke 1:57-64

For at least nine months, Zechariah had been unable to speak. For five of those months, Elizabeth had been in seclusion. This time of focusing on what God was saying instead of what they could say made an impact on this couple. The Holy Spirit was changing them and they would never be the same.

Sometimes God asks us to be silent before Him; He prompts us to spend more time listening and less time talking. Father God asks us to silence the noise around us so that we can hear His still small voice. I am reminded of Abraham’s servant who was given the task of finding a wife for Isaac. He responded in obedience to the task he was given, prayed for success in accomplishing that task, and then waited in silence.

The servant watched her in silence, wondering whether or not the Lord had given him success in his mission. – Genesis 24:21

The art of being still is a beautiful motion of obedience and trust. We do what we know to do and then watch for evidence of God at work in our lives. But what happens when we seek clarity and get none; what happens when we look for evidence of God’s presence and come up empty-handed?

I pray to you, O Lord, my rock. Do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you are silent, I might as well give up and die. – Psalm 28:1

At times we can go through a season when it feels like God is silent. We long to hear from Him, we call upon His name, but hear no response. Our heart cries out:

O God, do not be silent!
Do not be deaf.
Do not be quiet, O God. – Psalm 83:1

The psalmist goes on to describe to God what the enemy is doing to the nation of Israel. He seems to question God’s attention to the situation so he details what is happening all around him, as if God does not know or has not taken notice. Then he takes the rest of the song to suggest, or rather demand, what God should do to make right all that is going wrong.

Let them know that you, whose name is the Lord—
that you alone are the Most High over all the earth. – Psalm 83:16

In this last verse, the psalmist seems to be submitting to the authority of God. He refers to the name of the Lord, showing the desire to be obedient to the Master — the One who is in charge. He recognizes that God alone is the Most High. And although his prayer is to “let them know”, it seems from the first verse that he is also asking for God to let him know. He wants the reassurance that God is taking care of His people.

Lord, let me know that you are aware. Show me that you are in control of the situation. I desire to feel your presence and rest in your faithfulness. Help me to let go so that I will stop trying to control my circumstances. I long to rest in your care, but my heart needs to be reassured of your love.

It is easy to feel alone at times. In fact, the enemy would love for us to believe that we are alone — that God has abandoned us. We begin to question His love and wonder if He even cares about what we are going through. During these times, we have to remind ourselves of what we know to be true — that we are never alone and that His love is unfailing.

God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” – Hebrews 13:5b

In the midst of deep sorrow / I see Your light is breaking through / The dark of night will not overtake me / I am pressing into You / Lord, You fight my every battle / Oh, and I will not fear / I am not alone / I am not alone / You will go before me / You will never leave me [I Am Not Alone, Kari Jobe]

My God, whom I praise,
do not remain silent…
Help me, Lord my God;
save me according to your unfailing love.
Let them know that it is your hand,
that you, Lord, have done it. – Psalm 109:1,26-27a