Good morning Church!
We welcome you all back to the house of one and only living God. And His name is Jesus Christ!
Today we will be learning about one of the very important subjects, “God hears your heart!”
As we are nearing the Christmas season, let us read an interesting story from the Gospel of Luke…
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. Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.
Luke 1:5-13
While Zacharias was burning incense in the temple, the whole multitude of the people were praying without. All the prayers we offer up to God, are acceptable and successful only by Christ’s intercession in the temple of God above. We cannot expect an interest therein if we do not pray, and pray with our spirits, and are not earnest in prayer. Nor can we expect that the best of our prayers should gain acceptance, and bring an answer of peace, but through the mediation of Christ, who ever lives, making intercession. The prayers Zacharias often made, received an answer of peace. Prayers of faith are filed in heaven, and are not forgotten. Prayers made when we were young and entering into the world, may be answered when we are old and going out of the world. Mercies are doubly sweet that are given in answer to prayer.
If we read this properly, verse 13 suggests that Zechariah’s prayers were heard.
We must understand that whatever happens in our life is due to the will of God. When we surrender our lives in the hands of God, then nothing will happen in your life by chance, rather, everything is planned by God.
Another thing if we note in the verse no 10….
And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense.
Luke 1:10
We will notice here that there was a multitude of people. Not just one person praying, rather a group of people.
Zechariah knew that he was an old man and he was surprised when he heard the news of a child to be born.
And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God,
Luke 1:16
Zacharias shall have a son in his old age, who shall be instrumental in bringing many souls to God, and preparing them to receive the gospel of Christ. He shall go before Him with courage, zeal, holiness, and a mind dead to earthly interests and pleasures. The disobedient and rebellious would be brought back to the wisdom of their righteous forefathers, or rather, brought to attend to the wisdom of that Just One who was coming among them. Zacharias heard all that the angel said; but his unbelief spoke. In striking him dumb, God dealt justly with him, because he had objected against God’s word. We may admire the patience of God towards us. God dealt kindly with him, for thus he prevented his speaking any more distrustful, unbelieving words. Thus also God confirmed his faith. If by the rebukes we are under for our sin, we are brought to give the more credit to the word of God, we have no reason to complain. Even real believers are apt to dishonour God by unbelief; and their mouths are stopped in silence and confusion, when otherwise they would have been praising God with joy and gratitude. In God’s gracious dealings with us we ought to observe his gracious regards to us. He has looked on us with compassion and favour, and therefore has thus dealt with us.
And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”
Luke 1:18
A special child was born on a special time, who was a forerunner of Jesus. Bible describes Zechariah’s family as holy people and law abiding as well as God abiding righteous people. Elizabeth was ashamed before, that she could not give birth to a child, however God had His own plan in the life of Elizabeth and Zachariah.
God hears your heart what you are crying unto Lord.
When you feel that your prayers are not being answered, remember the following three things:
1: Delay is not denial.
When we do not receive answer, may be we thing that this is bot God’s will, but remember, God hears all your prayers.
Understand that His ways are higher than our and there is a time for everything. Only God know, when the time is right, when the time is perfect.
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law.
Galatians 4:4
God is not even a minute late…
And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
1 John 5:14-15
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21
2: Delayed time is a building time.
We want everything to happen instantly, however God has His own perfect plan. He wants to build us up, build patience in us and indeed He is building faith in us.
And remember, when God answers your prayers, you will have a great news and more importantly, you will have a greater testimony.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Galatians 5:22
Remember, God is building us up while we are waiting for Him to answer our prayers. So please do not give up!
When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, “Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.” But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle.
Exodus 13:17-18
Moses had to wait unto the Lord, so did Abraham and Joseph. Nevertheless, their prayers were answered, so will be yours. Just remember one thing, God is building you up meanwhile.
Zechariah knew that God will answer his prayers and he was indeed blessed with son who became a strong man of God, John the baptist, as we know his name from the word of God. Eventhough, Zechariah may have forgotten to pray, but God never forgets.
3: Wait unto the Lord and do not take matters into your own hands.
Waiting time us not a wasted time. You may get frustated and try to take the matters in your own hands. The principles of God words needs to be followed and during the waiting time, you need to spend time with the word of God. Let God speak to your heart, receive the word of God, follow the principles from God’s word and you also you need to have a Godly counsel.
God will provide and He is always at work. As you are waiting unto the Lord, remember that God is at work. Sometime people start take decisions with their own hands, but remember one thing, if the time is not right, you might end up making a wrong decision.
In 1948, Israel became a nation and we will realize that it took such a long time. However, this was according to the will of God and no doubt, Israel dwelled into a very progressive nation.
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
Matthew 7:7
I did not speak in secret, in a land of darkness; I did not say to the offspring of Jacob, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I the Lord speak the truth; I declare what is right.
Isaiah 45:19
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Hebrews 11:6
When you pray, pray in faith and be assured that God has heard your prayer. Nevertheless, never cease praying, because God will answer with His own perfect time.
We hope you are encouraged with today’s word. We look forward to seeing you again next Sunday. God bless!