"So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense" (Luke 1:8-11).

A righteous man, Zacharias the priest and his wife, Elizabeth, had no children; "they were both well advanced in years" and she was barren (Luke 1:7). However, this reality did not embitter them or debilitate them. Zacharias had a responsibility to serve in the temple which he faithfully met. When disappointments come in life, do not allow them to hinder your faithful service to the Lord.

Furthermore, God blessed Zacharias and Elizabeth beyond their wildest imaginations, giving them a son named John - the forerunner of the Messiah. God has great things ahead for you as you trust him and do his will. Do not be distracted or discouraged today as you serve the Master. Instead, faithfully "press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:14).