▪️ The Gospel According to Luke 1:7 ▪️
 
“But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.”
 
In those ancient times, having no children could be regarded as a sign of God’s disfavor. People might have thought, “How can this be in the family of a priest?!” But those who read the Holy Scriptures knew, for example, the story of the righteous and deeply believing Abraham, who had no children for a very long time. “Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children.” (Gen.16:1). Abraham was already over 80 years old at that time, before Ishmael was born.
 
Zechariah and Elizabeth, of course, must have felt that they would soon go the way of all the earth without children. The Lord allows every believer to face a test of patience so that his faith may become complete. “Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James.1:3–4).

Never lose heart!