The story of the birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1: 5-80) isn’t a likely story of thankfulness, but it teaches us a great lesson on how we should "give thanks in all circumstances” (1Thes. 5:18).

Zechariah and Elizabeth were faithful servants of the Lord, and yet, God had chosen to withhold from them the blessing of parenthood. Their story begins in the latter part of their lives, and they are well- aged when the Angel of the Lord appears to Zechariah telling him that now the Lord with bless them with a child. In the Old Testament, 90-year-old Sarah laughed upon receiving the same news. So, I can imagine Zechariah’s shock: “Um, not to sound ungrateful, but WE’RE OLD!” The Heavenly Messenger was looking for a specific response. A simple “Thank you” might have sufficed. But because Zechariah questioned the Lord, he was put on “quiet time” until the birth of his son!

Too many times we pray and ask the Lord for things, not really expecting Him to answer. And when he tarries in answering we just assume that he “forgot”. So, when he finally does choose to bless us with our request, in our surprise we forget to be thankful; not that we aren’t thankful, we may just forget to utter the words. Zechariah and Elizabeth waited a long time for the Lord to answer their prayer, and when He did, He blessed them with one of the greatest men to walk this Earth!

Thankfulness is a contagious attitude. We see this in Zechariah and Elizabeth’s neighbors, when they heard her news, “they shared her joy”! Today, in this day of entitlement, the world lacks thankfulness. Don’t risk being put on “quiet time” for being unthankful. Let’s be grateful today, for things big and small, so that our thankfulness might rub off on others and they can be full of joy.

Suggested Prayer:

Dear Lord, you have given me so much. I am at fault of forgetting to be thankful. I may forget to thank you for the food before me or forget to show my gratitude when you choose to bless me with something I’ve longed for. My heart is always thankful, I just need to remember to say the words. Thank you, Lord! Gratefully, In Jesus’ name, Amen.

1. Luke 1:58.