Christmas is a major marker in the year. Of course, it is a wonderful and warm celebration with family and friends, but it also marks the (beginning of the) end of another year. Christmas also can remind us of our disappointments with God and life. Part of the Christmas story can give you hope with your disappointment.
A major marker in the Bible is the turn from Old Testament to New Testament. It’s moment when everything changes – the long-promised Messiah finally comes. Jesus is born. Everything is different.
Stories of Faithfulness
The themes conveyed is one of the differences between the these two sections of the Bible. The Old Testament is a collection of stories, sermons and poems about the faithfulness of God, even when God’s people are faithless. The New Testament flips that narrative. It’s stories, sermons and poems are about the faithfulness of God’s people along with the faithfulness of God himself.
The Gospel of Luke kicks off with one of these stories – Elizabeth and Zechariah. It’s actually a common story found in the Bible, a couple who have never been able to conceive a child. We don’t know how old they were, but they were well past child-bearing ages.
“They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old.” -Luke 1:7 NLT
However that wasn’t the totality of their story. Luke led with the other half of who they were, the more important half:
“Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations.” -Luke 1:76 NLT
Faithfulness vs Disappointment
Elizabeth and Zechariah were faithful. I’m sure many times they questioned the faithfulness of God toward them – at least in their desire to have a child. In the midst of their questions and disappointment, Elizabeth and Zechariah were faithful and noted by God as righteous.
The true test of faithfulness is the obedience over time – especially during difficult times. It’s easy to be faithful to God – his commands and calls – when life is easy sailing. I am truly faithful when I’m disappointed with life, and I still obey God’s calls and commands.
Disappointment Gnaws at your Soul…
Disappointment slowly strips away faith. But only if you let it. Zechariah and Elizabeth fought against the inertia of disappointment in their lives. I guarantee the disappointment was beyond the void of not having a child. Life is hard. It’s full of discouragement. What about you? Are you fighting against the disappointment gnawing at your soul?
…so Fight with Obedience!
Here’s how you fight; be obedient to God’s commands and calls. God’s commands are the things he asks all of us to do. All of us are commanded to love our neighbor as ourselves. We are commanded to put God above all else. We are all are commanded to live generous, selfless lives. Each of us are commanded to share the Gospel and make disciples.
God’s commands are for everyone, but God’s calls are specific to your life (as opposed to what I am called to do in my life). God has called you to a specific job or career path. It could be a call to serve in a role in your church. Your call could be write, sing or sew – for yourself and for others.
This year, as we approach Christmas, the marker of the beginning of the end of another year, it’s time to evaluate your life. Are you fighting? Are you obeying God’s commands and calls?
The Rewards of Faithfulness
Obedience is a long road of faithfulness to God’s calls and commands in the face of disappointment. The great news is the results of obedience are far reaching – further than you could ever imagine. That’s the story of Elizabeth and Zechariah.
You may know the story. An angel visited Zechariah (who was a priest) in the Temple. The angel promised Zechariah a son. Elizabeth does conceive a child, and she bears a baby boy nine months later. They name the boy, John, who grows up to be John the Baptist. Their gift of obedience to God is returned to them as the one who “proclaims the way of the Lord!”
Elizabeth and Zechariah may have never lived to see that fruit. We don’t know. We do know they experienced this reward when the whole story of John’s birth got out:
“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.” -Luke 1:65-66 NLT
What could be the results of your long-term obedience to God? How could God reward you for your faithfulness in the face of disappointment? Will you commit yourself to obey the commands and calls of God on your life?
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