Listen to our message on your audio player.

"In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years" (Luke 1:5-7).

Yesterday we both attended a community luncheon at a local church. The pastor of the church, Tom Weber, delivered an advent message. We are not related but several years ago he saw me in a meeting and in front of the gathered group he pointed me out as, "my brother Steve Weber" (not specifying "brother in Christ"). After the meeting one of his church members was excited to meet me and assumed I was Tom's biological brother. Well, as they say, we are brothers but from a different mother!

Yesterday Tom presented an interesting advent message with  a perspective I hadn't considered before. Or if I have, now that I'm older, I need reminded again. Truth is, we need reminded of truth at all ages.

He shared the account of Zechariah and Elizabeth. "They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord". What an apt description of lives well lived for a couple both "advanced in years" (a polite term for being old).

But they had also lived their lives with a major disappointment, "But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren".

A condition like this was especially grievous in their culture as well as for many today. As we interface with the Amish and other Plain people a large family is a given, taking God's word seriously "be fruitful and multiply" (Genesis 1:28).

Presumably they had married young and within just a few years this condition manifested. They had lived with it for a long, long time. Yet they kept their faith and honored their marital vows and again while "advanced in years" were characterized by this statement, "They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord". They were both faithful to each other and to God in ongoing adversity.

Today we consider our older peers who have endured lifelong disappointments or early in life struggles, some profound and life-altering. Joni, whose story is known by many readers, comes to mind. She was disabled at 17 years of age and has endured much affliction including cancer over her 75 years, but continues to have a fruitful ministry, impacting many thousands.

We know personally those who have had long-term afflictions yet remain faithful and keep the faith while dealing with the mysteries of God's providence. We have a Texan friend who, at the height of his career as a seminary professor, dealt with a life-altering illness, yet he and his devoted wife, powerfully convey a faith-filled outlook. In addition to his major life altering health problems, last year their home burned to the ground but again this did not diminish their faith in Christ. They shared with us their story of overcoming as Christ was supplying their needs.

Some of you reading this have had life-altering disappointments and hurts. You've had to deal with questions about God's goodness and faithfulness. But like Zechariah and Elizabeth you are overcoming, as you await God's plan to come to fruition in your life. May you be filled with an assurance that, "And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6).

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, as Your redeemed children, we acknowledge that all things are under Your rule and control, that nothing happens without Your direction or permission because You are sovereign. As the wise Proverb 16:1 says, "We may make our plans, but You have the final say". Give us wisdom and fortitude to align our desires with Yours, knowing that You have our best interest and a grander purpose in mind that we may not or may never fully understand when circumstances are not to our liking. We genuinely want to be used for the furtherance of Your kingdom and we want our testimony to include that we are overcomers through our faith in Christ, who overcame the world, and it's in His name that we pray. Amen.