As November rolls around, I love the conversations my daughter, Bethany, and I have shared about her wishes for Christmas. Last year, she had hoped for clothing, devices, and Stanleys. What is a Stanley anyway? I had to ask. Apparently, a Stanley is a container for beverages she has assured me will cause her to drink more water each day. Though she did receive a Stanley, I have yet to see her daily consumption of water any greater😊 Anyway, my common answer each year is, “Put it on your Christmas list, because I won’t remember all you are hoping for.” She has asked for many things and wants to know what she will receive under the tree. Asking me for hints, I tell her she will see on Christmas Day.

We also have many hopes as we come to the Lord in prayer. We ask and want answers. We want to understand. When He waits to answer, sometimes we may feel He has not heard or has forgotten. But our sovereign God has His perfect timing. Because He knows all things, He waits until the time is right. Zechariah experienced this through a prayer he prayed with his wife, Elizabeth. They prayed for a son, and in their old age, this prayer had not been answered. Had God forgotten? Had He heard their prayer?

Serving as a priest, Zechariah was chosen to enter the temple and offer up the incense offering. This was a special privilege occurring once in the lifetime of a priest. Zechariah had the opportunity to enter the Holy of Holies and meet in the presence of God for the people. Entering the holy place, he presented the offering, then fell to the ground in humble prayer. He was joined by an angel of the Lord. As fear fell upon him, the angel calmed him and delivered God’s message.

^“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. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord.” (Luke 1:13-15a)

Zechariah listened as the angel described this answer to a long-awaited prayer. Their baby, John would be filled with the Holy Spirit and be used by God to prepare the way for the Messiah. God had not ignored or forgotten their prayer but had orchestrated the plan in His way as He prepared to send His Son as the Savior of the world. Zechariah’s response revealed a weakness in his faith.

^“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)

“How can I know this?” As the years went by with no answer, Zechariah’s prayers were abandoned. Age crept in, and the prayer felt impossible to become a reality. Zechariah forgot Who the prayer was offered to, and as the request was affirmed, he focused on the problems rather than the Problem-solver. He wanted to know all the answers rather than trusting His sovereign God to put the plan into place.

I am no different from Zechariah, and I am guessing you are not much different either. Life sometimes just does not make sense. We look at the difficulties around us and pray. We do not see answers, and sometimes we abandon those prayers. We forget God is always at work in ways we do not see, and even in impossible situations, He is working to make His plan possible in His time. Zechariah’s impossible became possible as they were blessed with a beautiful baby named John, who prepared the way for our Lord.

So rather than asking “How can I know this?,” declare “I can know this.” When life looks impossible, keep going before the Lord. Know God is working His perfect plan, and even if you do not understand it, you can trust Him. He will work through your impossible to make it His possible.

As Zechariah’s impossible situation led to God’s incredible blessing of his son, he gave thanks to God. Let your thankfulness for the blessings of today carry over into each day. Focusing on daily blessings will remind you of God’s goodness, even as you weather the impossibilities of life, and it will be well with your soul. Happy Thanksgiving!