In their season

Luke 1:20

“…because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.⁠”

The first chapter of the Gospel according to Luke is one of the most powerful in all the canon of Scripture. It speaks of those things which are most surely believed among us, and about the certainty of those things. God’s Word gives certainty. It does not produce ambiguity or confusion; it gives an anchor upon which to build our lives. And this chapter introduces for us John the Baptist, who would go forth in the spirit and power of Elias, and would be the forerunner of Christ. Many would rejoice at his birth! It was the dawning of a new age! As Zacharias later said, “The Dayspring from on high hath visited us!” Yes, He has visited, but His way was prepared by John the Baptist.

Now, when the angel Gabriel came to Zacharias to give these glad tidings, he was incredulous about them. He thought, “How can this happen when we are old?” And he verbalized these sentiments to the angel. “Whereby shall I know this,” He asked. And the angel was displeased with his unbelief. His answer was, “I am Gabriel, that stand in her presence of God.” That is all the proof that is needed. When God sends His messenger to speak to His man, it is always true! The messenger that came to Mary came to John. And because he did not believe, he was struck with dumbness, until the things that were promised were performed. This was “because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.⁠”

In their season! Everything has a season. Everything happens in the Lord’s time. There was many a reason that John and Elisabeth did not have a child until they were old. There was a reason that all things happened just as they did. John was to prepare the way for Christ! He was not to be born before he was or after he was. He was born at just the right time. And so is it for everything that the Lord does—it is all at the right time. In their season! It may not be the season that we desire or expect, but it is the right season. Did not Solomon say, “To every thing there is a season”? My fiends, trust now that God’s seasons are always right and for a purpose. God knew when John needed to be born, and He knows when everything else needs to happen just the same. Pray and trust the seasons!

“Father, we thank You for the encouragement and strength we find from this truth that You have reinforced in our minds. We do not always understand the seasons of God, but we know that You are working all things for the best if we will just wait on You to reveal all things. May we not be faithless, but always believing You and Your timing. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.”