Even our setbacks have a divine purpose

 Luke 1:1-5-7 -In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.

Even the righteous have setbacks in life. Zechariah and Elizabeth were from the priestly line, they followed the Word of God and were blameless in God's sight and they served the Lord faithfully. They had all the character of the ones who deserved the blessings of Deuteronomy  28. Yet they were ridden with what people in those days would classify as a "curse". They had no children and now it's impossible for them to conceive. No hope of a next generation.

Human reasoning would assume that God is unfair. Why are the others blessed with everything they need and people who really suffer for Christ and serve God with all their hearts are ridden with the unwanted pains in life. Doesn't God care. It appears so..... when seen from the human perspective. 

Bur no, when seen from the other side of eternity.

God sees the end from the beginning. He knows what He is doing. Little did Zechariah and Elizebeth know that their deprival and what seems as a curse, is really going to be one of the greatest recored miracles in the Bible, something  that will seal their names in the archives of history, as the parents of the forerunner of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

What was seen as a setback and even a curse, became a momentous miracle. They just had to be patient and wait for God's timing. 

This elderly couple would have felt the pain of rejection, the scourging of the neighbourhood and the scorn of the religious sect. And certainly asked God the "why questions". But nevertheless, they were faithful to God and continued to serve Him faithfully in word and in deed. Their faith on God did not waiver.

And as we continue to read the rest of the chapter in Luke 1, we see how God carefully orchestrated the out-workings of a divine miracle that impacted the course of human history. 

As we come to the close of a difficult year, let not the unanswered prayers distract us, or make us double the goodness of God but rather cling on to His grace. Knowing that God is working something glorious, something greater, something that He desires for my life. "All things will work out for good"....