SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #47 ---- 12/7/98
Posted by: lifeunlimited <lifeunlimited@...>
As We fight The Good Fight
TITLE: "Zach and Liz ---- A Minister, His Ministry, and His Family"
My dear friend in Christ:
Greetings in His Name this wonderful day of the Advent season. Perhaps
no time of year for me is filled with a greater mixture of emotions. But
the ones that seem to always override all others are joy and gratitude.
The Christmas season is for many people a very difficult time. It
reminds them of painful past memories, of loved ones no longer present to
celebrate the season, nobody for whom to buy gifts, no money with which
to buy them, no place to call home.
I pray that both you and I will be able to find at least one such person,
and help lift his load and perhaps plant a new seed of joy, gratitude
---- and hope. Let's take that on as a project this year.
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A MINISTER, HIS MINISTRY, AND HIS FAMILY:
He was born and raised in a faithfully religious family, with a long
heritage of vocational ministry ---- not just generations, but for
centuries. As far back as he could remember, at least on his father's
side of the family, there had been someone in every generation involved
in serving God vocationally. It was almost as if he had been born to
serve God.
I understand a little of that type of heritage. The American portion of
my own genealogy goes back to Robert Taliferro who followed two brothers
and a sister to the New World in the early 1600's. They had previously
arrived on these shores sometime before 1638. Settling in Jamestown, the
beneficiary of a 6300 acre land grant, Robert married Sara Grimes, a
preacher's daughter. They had five sons and two daughters.
Many preachers and missionaries came out of that beginning during the
ensuing eleven generations leading to my own birth and ministry. On my
mother's side, one of my grandfathers five generations removed was
personal priest to one of the Czar's of Russia. He was banished to
Siberia when he got on the Czar's case for immoral living, but escaped
with him family enroute, and fled by night to Hungary.
This man's wife also came from a similar religious background
----generations of ministers as well. So does my wife. Her father was
the last of a significant number of ministers through the generations; he
and his wife helped begin more than sixteen new churches in southern
Arizona.
There is often an enormous pressure placed on those in ministry,
especially if they have a long history of Christian ministry in past
generations. They recognize the integrity and honor of the past, they
want to live up to the good name they have inherited, they don't want to
disappoint those around them, and they often feel trapped by the
traditions of the past, be they family or denominational.
THE QUALITIES OF THIS MINISTER:
Simply reading the story and some historical background from various
sources I am struck by some of the qualities of this man's life and his
family. I think he's the kind of guy you and I would like to emulate.
1. Zach's character was impeccable ---- there was nothing for which he
could be blamed in either his personal, family, or ministerial life.
Both he and 'Liz, his wife, could be described as moral, ethical,
pleasing to God, without blame in conduct, demeanor, and duty.
No quality or ability is more vital in the life of those of us in
ministry than an impeccable character. We may sometimes feel there is a
double standard for those who wear the attire of vocational ministry
----There IS!
And why Not? If there is no higher calling than that of ministry, as we
so often declare, why should there Not also be a loftier standard of
conduct and integrity?
2. His ministry performance was faithful ---- for years he could be
trusted to minister in keeping with his "job description". His assigned
duties, though varied from time to time, were diligently carried out.
I sometimes wonder if I could have done what he did for so many years.
After all, he . . .
1) Had no control over the fact that he was part of a system he had
inherited ---- designated specific duties had been determined for him
long before he assumed his role of ministry. It had remained so ever
since, for hundreds of years.
2) Seemed to accept the fact that his role focused on what humanly
appeared to be a lesser role with little room for "advancement" and no
chance of promoting into a new field. In purely human terms, he was in a
"dead end" position ---- no chance to every be much more than he was,
doing what he was doing. He'd never be the senior man on the staff. It
just wouldn't happen.
3) Performed a daily routine that could easily have lost its glamour
very quickly. Much of what he did was non-descript essentials that most
other people could have done. There wasn't very much he did that would
bring the "ooh's" and "ah's" from impressed people.
4) Seldom received any expressions of appreciation for what he did
---- after all, it was so daily ---- and it was expected. In fact, most
people probably didn't remember that he was even there, much less what
he did that was so essential to the ongoing effectiveness of God's work.
Only on periodic occasion did he do something that was in the view of the
public.
5) Did something that had possibly lost its spiritual significance and
had become a custom ---- a pattern ---- a habit ---- a tradition. Not
only did it, for the most part, go unnoticed by the people around him,
but it frequently was unchallenging to Zach himself. He found himself
settling deeper and deeper into the tradition. And, tradition, if not
bathed in our heart-hunger and God's revelatory grace, easily becomes
traditionalism.
6) Apparently never complained, but, rather, relished his ministry,
though often routine and mundane. Somehow Zach never allowed the
"dailiness" of his ministry to rob it of it's thrill, joy, and honor.
Why do I believe that? Because otherwise he could not have been
described in the material I read as "moral, ethical, pleasing to God,
without blame in conduct, demeanor, and duty" (to quote myself above).
7) Never lost sight of the significance of his ministry to the people,
and how his diligence in carrying it out would directly impact those
waiting "outside". This is amazing to me ---- maybe because I have so
often failed in the past to keep that fact before the very eyes of my
heart.
You see, while his duties changed, he recognized their individual
importance to the overall purposes of God for the people. If he didn't
faithfully do his assigned tasks as it was customary, the people would be
affected.
Even more amazing, is that his duties varied.
What was it that kept such a man going? Was it his lineage? Was it his
duties? Was it his own ego?
I think it was his calling. He knew that, his genealogy notwithstanding,
he had been called by God. Maybe we need to refresh our minds that there
is a difference between a calling and a duty. It may be that our boredom
or restlessness with our duties is the result of having forgotten our
calling.
3. Both Zach's calling and his duties placed him in the most intimate
proximity to a holy and righteous God possible this side of heaven itself
---- entering into the presence of God through intercessory prayer.
Whether it was the replenishing of the candles and making sure the
furnishings were positioned properly, or actually entering into
intercessory prayer itself, it mattered not to him. He was in the "Holy
of Holies" ---- as far as he was concerned, that's what was important.
How others judged his work didn't matter. He met regularly ---- with
God! No, not just regularly, not even daily ---- but Twice daily!
What an honor! What a blessing! To know that through the blood of the
Lamb we have access to God! To know we have the Authority to do so! To
know we Will find grace to help in time of need when we do!
And many people thought such a task was secondary! Not so! Nothing is
higher! Nothing!
4. However, his deepest heart's desire, next to serving God and loving
his wife, was still unfulfilled after many years of marriage and service
---- he wanted a son. That was also a part of his own lineage ---- most
of the families all had boys. He ached for a son ---- someone to love,
to shape and mold, to influence, to disciple ---- with the hope and
prayer that perhaps someday he, too, would be called of God to serve Him
vocationally.
I can identify with his desire. My own father, a minister, has a son
---- me ---- in the ministry. One of my own "Timothy's" also has a son
in the ministry. I know of a family in Illinois who has seven
consecutive generations of ministers.
I remember my father saying at my ordination some 30 years ago, "for
years Bob's mother and I were afraid God wouldn't call him to preach;
then, after some experiences we had ourselves, we were afraid He would."
That notwithstanding, there is something special about knowing you come
from a history of ministry; and that motivates you to pray for a
successor to yours.
THE LONELY EMPTINESS IN HIS HEART:
Often those of us in ministry feel it is a terrible sin to acknowledge
there are deep desires of the heart yet unfulfilled. It is at this point
so often that we can inadvertently slide into the "rut" of ritualism ----
when we continue to serve and serve and serve, when we are faithful day
in and day out ---- and yet some of our own deepest cries of the heart
remain muffled in our mouths by our own hands of denial or feelings of
undeservedness or selfishness.
But, just as in Zach's case, ---- God knows! He knows.
That's why it is an exercise in futility to try to keep them inside.
Let it out, my friend!
What do you want from God? What is that one unfulfilled realization for
which you long? Don't worry about what your motive is, or how it may
sound. The only person who might possibly be surprised will just be you.
I love the following passage of scripture ---- Luke 1:5-25, 57-80. There
is far more in it than I can ever comprehend or discuss. Look at some of
these thoughts:
"Now it came about, while he was performing his priestly service before
God in the appointed order of his division, according to the custom of
the priestly office, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord
and burn incense" (vs 8-9).
"It came about" ---- isn't that just like God? He always acts exactly in
the right way at just the right time.
"While he was performing his priestly service" ---- even through the
emptiness of his own heart's desire, he remained faithful to the calling
of His God and the needs of his people.
"Before God" ---- I believe this was the one thing that kept him going
---- that kept him from becoming just another religious performer robed
in clerical garb.
"In the appointed order of his division according to the custom of the
priestly office" ---- I'm confident Zacharias already knew that not
everything he did would be enjoyable and fulfilling. But, he also knew
that there were things that had to be done, and he would be called on at
the appropriate time to take his turn at them.
And, I sense he knew all the other priests were in the same boat. So,
while he may have dreaded some of those responsibilities, I don't think
he resented having to do them. He knew it came with the turf.
"He was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord to burn incense"
---- Was this what he had been anxiously waiting for with great
anticipation? Or was he seeing it as "just another day at the office"?
Or did his mind perhaps envision that duty as the highest possible
function he could ever perform as a priest at the Jerusalem temple?
The fact that it was done by "lot" leads me to suspect that at the very
least there was a sense of uncertainty and anticipation (or perhaps
dread) that went through his mind.
Ever wonder what kind of conversation Zacharias and Elizabeth might have
had the day that decision would be cast? Maybe something like this?
"Zacharias? Isn't today when you find out what you'll be doing next at
the temple?"
"Yes, dear ---- it's that time ---- again."
"What do you hope to do this time?"
"Oh ---- I don't know; trim the wicks on the candles, polish the brass,
put out new bread, maybe move the alter back into position, ----
whatever. It all has to be done."
"Zach, do you ever want to offer incense again? That seems to be such a
special honor ---- to be able to personally offer prayers to God. How
exciting! ---- How humbling. Oh, just think ---- being an intercessor
for others!"
"Yes, dear, it is an honor. But ---- I don't know, sometimes it seems so
routine ---- so 'same'. I wonder if I'm really worthy, anyhow.
Sometimes the joy of my calling feels so distant ---- so 'lost'."
"Zach, if you could ask God for anything, what would it be? I mean, ----
Anything!"
"I don't know, 'Liz ---- there are so many needs ---- so many hurting
people ---- so much sin. Sometimes all that just seems to press all the
prayers right out of me, and I just go through the motions. I know I
shouldn't feel that way, but ----- but I do."
"Zach, would you pray a special prayer today? ---- just for me? ---- for
us? Would you pray for a son? ---- again? Please?"
"Oh, sweetest 'Liz, we've prayed so long! For years! And, look at us
---- we're old, ---- we're tired. Besides, what would the people say?
---- I mean, what would they think about ---- about us ---- having a
child so late in life? And, anyhow, it must not be God's will to have a
child ---- especially a son. Otherwise, with all the praying and crying
we've done together over these many years, you'd think He would have
answered by now."
"Please, Zacharias! Pray again! ---- please ---- for me, if not for
yourself."
"Honey, I don't think it will do any good. You know, I've wondered if
the lineage of ministers on our side of the family just might end with
me. Sad, you know? ---- so sad. I've wanted three things out of life
---- the privilege to serve a great God, the honor of marrying a good
wife, and the joy of having a son to succeed me. Maybe two out of three
isn't all that bad."
"Now don't go feeling sorry for yourself, Zacharias! You won't be worth
a thing to the people today, no matter what you end up being assigned to
do! Just remember ---- if you do end up in the Most Holy Place, be sure
to ask again. Even if you don't, you can still pray ---- whatever you're
going to be doing. Just be sure to ask Him again. Promise me, Zach."
A FRESH ENCOUNTER WITH GOD:
Whatever may have been the actual conversation between Zacharias and
Elizabeth, it is certain that he was indeed chosen to burn incense
before the Lord while all the people were in prayer outside at that very
occasion.
And, while faithfully carrying out his assignment, he had an
extraordinary surprise ---- an angel showed up! How often does an angel
show up when you're ministering? I can't remember a single time in my
ministry, unless they were so disguised in some human form that I didn't
see them.
You know the rest of the story well. Even though the following verses
(10-25) are explosive with great word and phrase studies to examine,
space doesn't allow me to elaborate any further, because I want to
conclude with some practical observations. I believe it has some
significant things to say to us about our own encounters with God in
prayer. I am indebted to Ron Dunn, one of America's greatest teachers on
prayer, for planting some seeds in my mind some 25 years ago that lead me
to these thoughts.
I hope they will bless and encourage you. So ---- here they are:
1. Any fresh encounter with God requires prayer. Of all the ministries
Zacharias could have carried out, I believe offering incense on the alter
of prayer was the most important. And, so it is today. Nothing you will
ever do will be more important than prayer.
Whatever else you do in ministry, if you are not a man or woman of
prayer, you are not fulfilling your greatest honor, your greatest duty,
and your greatest ministry. And you are missing out on what the greatest
tool of ministry and weapon of warfare you have can ever do for you.
2. When we pray, God Always answers ---- without exception. The problem
is not that He doesn't answer, but that we either don't listen, don't
recognize, or won't accept the answers. You've heard it often ----
sometimes God says, "yes", sometimes "no", and sometimes "wait".
3. When God answers, and He always does, He Always Answers Immediately,
---- but Often Later. It seems evident, based on verses 13 and 18, that
Zacharias and Elizabeth had prayed for a son for years ---- and had
apparently, somewhere along the line (probably when they got too old to
have children naturally) had stopped praying ---- drifting into aimless
and hopeless fatalism that is nothing whatsoever akin to faith.
In verse 13 the angel said, "your petition Has been heard . . ." I have
been told that in the Greek language, that word implies a past answer
having already received a past action. Literally it could be translated,
"your petition was to do" or "your petition was already answered to have
already been done". In other words, somewhere years ago God had answered
Zacharias' and Elizabeth's' prayers by granting their request ---- back
then!
Yes, God Always Answers Immediately, ---- but Often Later. In other
words, the Granting is always Immediate, but the Getting may be often
delayed. This is exactly what happened to Daniel in Daniel 10 ---- the
angel came to tell Daniel that God had answered three weeks earlier, but
there was divine delay because of warfare in the heavenlies. Check out I
John 3:22 and I John 5:14-15 as well.
4. God Always Answers According to the Promises of His Word. Is what
you are praying for backed up by a promise from His Word? My past is
filled with both kinds of praying ---- and subsequent consequences. I
can tell you, however, that this principle works flawlessly.
So, if it is indeed true, what do we do?
1) If no promise is evident, pray! Pray until either . . .
A. You Get the Answer or the Promise of an answer
B. You get Assurance of the answer
C. You find it is not God's will.
2) If There is a Promise Evident, Pray. Pray and . . .
A. Take the Promise to God and thank Him for it
B. Praise Him
C. Attack the devil with it.
5. God Always Answers Better. Ron Dunn said years ago, "The biggest
problem with our praying is we aim too low."
If God had answered Zacharias' and Elizabeth's' prayer when they first
asked, what would they have had? ---- A plain ordinary Jewish boy who
would have ended up in the usual traditional priestly role ---- just like
thousands of others had done for centuries before him. In all likelihood
we would have never heard about Him other than seeing him included in
some priestly geneology.
Instead, they ended up with a fiery, fierce, uncompromising proclaimer
that thundered out the message of repentance like had not been heard in
more than 400 years, and was likened to Israel's greatest of all
prophets, Elijah himself.
I'd say they got a really good deal, wouldn't you?
6. When God Answers (Not IF He answers), He Often Waits Until It is
Humanly Impossible ---- For Greater Glory. If God had answered while
they were younger, who would have been given credit ---- and maybe even
glory? Right! ---- Zacharias and Elizabeth.
This principle is played out scores of times in the Bible and thousands
in real life experiences.
Abraham and Sarah are almost carbon copy examples of that fact. Hebrews
11 and Romans 4 and 5 illustrate a man who moved beyond hope and believed
God.
Mary and Martha and the death of their brother, Lazarus, are also
illustrations.
Friend, it is when there is no hope that faith pleases God. Sometimes it
takes things humanly impossible to force our faith.
7. Finally, God Answers Prayer When It is Linked to Divine Necessity.
If we ever find God not answering prayer in the affirmative, it is a good
thing to check out the matter of whether or not God "needs" the answer to
accommodate His divine intentions.
You see, if God had granted the answer to their prayer 40 or 50 years
earlier, there would have been no John the Baptist to blaze the trail as
the forerunner for Jesus Christ. He would have probably been too old to
announce His deity and his destiny along the Jordan River; he would have
been unable to baptize Him, he would have been unable to acknowledge Him
to be God's Son.
God answers prayer right on time, and when it is humanly impossible, and
when it is linked to divine timing and purpose. Abraham and Sarah got
Isaac at just the right time. Hannah gave birth to Samuel right on time.
Elizabeth gave birth to John the Baptist right on time.
He'll answer your prayer, too ---- Right On Time!
"NAME HIM JOHN!":
Having said all that, just imagine ---- after nine months being a
minister unable to talk, Zacharias writes out the name ---- "John!" And
immediately "his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he began to
speak in praise of God." (vs 64).
The fall out was astounding, my friend!
1. Fear came on everybody living around them. I can understand that.
If a man who hadn't been able to articulate a single sound for over nine
months simply writes out the name "John" and instantaneously begins to
prophesy praises to God, I think I'd do a double-take myself.
2. The word about the miracle spread like wildfire. To say the least,
the event became the talk of the town. The more they talked, the less
they probably concentrated on the fact that he was again able to talk,
and the more they likely began to discuss what he actually said. After
all, it was awesome, and brought back distant memories of God's great
promises long forgotten ---- redemption ---- salvation ---- mercy ----
covenant.
3. People began to anticipate what the boy would become in God's plan.
I can imagine how such talk began to escalate until it finally reached
"critical mass" where the momentum itself began to raise the hopes and
cries of the people once again to an all-sovereign redeeming God.
4. And ---- for the very first time in over 400 years ---- Hope came
alive again! The message of a Redeemer, seldom heard since the days of
Malachi, was again preached to the people of God. Read about it in
verses 64-80.
5. Finally, for the first time in his life, Zacharias discovers his Real
ministry ---- to spend the rest of his life Preparing the Preparer.
My dear friend ---- personal applications here are astounding.
Has your ministry gone stale? Have you lost your sense of purpose? Does
your ministry seem to be without reason? Has the message of deliverance
long faded from your ears? Has the hope of new life and vitality in your
ministry long faded into the cloudiness of the past? Has your hope for a
feeling that "I'm important to God and His Work" long been lost?
Listen to Zacharias!
"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited us and
Accomplished Redemption for His people, and has raised up a horn of
salvation for us in the house of David His servant ---- as He spoke by
the mouth of His holy prophets from of old ----
"'Salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us;' To
show mercy toward our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant, the
oath which He swore to Abraham our father, to grant us that we, being
delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in
holiness and righteousness before Him all our days." (Lk 1:68-75)
That is for you, my friend!
But there's more!
"And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you
will go on 'before the Lord to prepare His ways;' to give to His people
the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins, because of
the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise from on high shall
visit us. 'to shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of
death,' to guide our feet into the way of peace." (Lk 1:76-79)
IN CONCLUSION:
I will be forever indebted to Zacharias ---- a man in the ministry of our
great God who, even at his lowest point, and at a time of unbelief
fostered by skepticism and "sameness", became a man used of God to help
prepare the one who would prepare the way of the Lord.
My friend, if you have been dulled by the dailiness of ministry, if you
have been rendered speechless with nothing to say because of a moment of
hesitation in your faith, if you have fallen victim to the
disappointments of ministry, if you have forgotten the precious privilege
of the daily duties of ministry, then take heart. Zacharias is our kind
of man.
While it isn't the best scenario, it is nonetheless encouraging to
realize you aren't the first to go through such times. However, it is
more encouraging to know the day is coming when you will again declare
praises to God.
I'm really glad he is included in the scenario of salvation. What an
incredible place to be! What an amazing event to anticipate. What an
unknown time table to anticipate.
"If my son, John, is to be all the angel said, then the coming of The
Redeemer can't be far ahead. I wonder what role John will have. I
wonder how he will know Him when he comes. I wonder if He's already
living ---- or if He's yet to be born. I wonder who His parents are ----
whether or not we know them. I wonder if I'll see Him. I wonder if I'll
recognize Him. I wonder . . . "
FINALLY:
Be encouraged, dear friend. Be encouraged that the Incarnation reached
all the way into the very heart of your ministry. Be encouraged that it
can reach you both on your highest mountain and in your lowest valley.
Be encouraged that God has chosen you to be included in His great scheme
of redemption.
Be encouraged that this gives you all the more reason to celebrate the
season with diligence and faithfulness, patience and long suffering, joy
and celebration, peace and power.
I pray that you and yours will be blessed beyond measure this Christmas
season.
"Joy to the World! The Lord Is Come! Let earth Receive her KING!"
In Christ's Bond,
Bob Tolliver ---- (Rom 1:11-12)
Copyright December, 1998. All rights reserved.
If this letter has blessed you and you know of someone else who needs to
be encouraged, feel free to forward it in its entirety to all such people
you know.
If you would like a list of past letters, drop me a note.
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Hang in there! I'm with you!
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