6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.
and further down:
11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.
They had been praying and expecting God to move. God blessed Zacharias and Elizabeth with a child who became known as John the Baptist.
What I learned from that is power of prayer and the joy of expecting God to move. Then I turn to Matthew 7:7-11 where Jesus was talking to His disciples:
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
This verse is very familiar to me because I have heard it my life, but it never clicked. God loves hearing our petitions and prayers. In fact He delights in it so much that He blesses us for it. So, why have I been so hesitant to run to Him and embrace Him? How many blessings have we been missing because we didn't talk to God about EVERYTHING that goes on in our lives.
Looking back, I realized there were times in my life where I have been doing things on my own, not giving thought to taking it to God. Where would I be if I talked to God first? Where you would be if you took everything to God first?
We have a friend in Jesus, and I intend on talking to Him more. What about you?
