5 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. 6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.
8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.
May I often be found in the crowd who gather to experience The presence of the Almighty One who is the Eternal Father, Good Shephard, and Loving Guide.
Oh my, the expectancy.......
Although chosen by lot, Our Sovereign Lord was really at work in ways Zechariah was unaware of, bringing him into a life changing encounter with the Lord's will for his life. I must remember that often Our Lord is at work beyond my awareness of what He is doing, to bring about His will in my life. Thank you, Lord, for the way you will be at work in my life today!
The people were waiting expectantly never anticipating an old priest would become a father of a great spokesman who would announce Jesus as the Son of God.
"All the assembled worshipers were praying outside." What a wonderful picture of reverence, of expectancy, and of solidarity - all coming together in prayer.