What Jesus Did! 'It All Begins with Faithfulness' — Luke 1:5-7

Sometimes, when things aren't going as well as we hope, we are tempted to give up on our righteous commitments to God. "What's the use?" we might ask ourselves and also think, "It surely doesn't seem to be paying off for me!" God gave us Zechariah and Elizabeth as examples of righteous waiting. They remind us not to give up on God in our discouragement, impatience, and frustration. As Luke began his Good News about Jesus, we find these two old and faithful followers of God. They were righteous in God's eyes. Unfortunately, however, their fervent desire to have a child ^[1] had not been granted by God. Still, they honored God because it was the right thing to do. Then, their faithfulness provided the beginning of Luke's account of our salvation story. So, the next time we find ourselves discouraged and ready to give up because our prayers seem unanswered, let's remember this old couple. Let's celebrate their joyous surprise. ^[2] Let's always remember their example showing us that our faithful wait on God opens the door for us to share in his glorious grace.