You may have heard it said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.” While it sounds smart and seems like it could make sense, is it actually true? Ask Abraham who prayed the same thing for 25 years before he got a different result and had Isaac. Ask Hannah who prayed the same thing through years of barrenness before she had Samuel. Ask David and his descendants how long they were praying for the fulfillment of God’s promise to fill his throne.

In this Christmas season, ask Zechariah if that statement is true after he was chosen by lot to enter the temple and offer the same prayers he had prayed year after year for himself and his people. What was he praying for? He and his wife, Elizabeth, had been praying for years for a child and their prayers seemed to go unanswered. Then the Lord sent the angel Gabriel to give him the good news. Basically Gabriel said, “I have good news! You can expect a different result after praying the same thing over and over!

Read Luke 1:5-25. Be encouraged. Stay diligent in doing the same thing over and over. Whether it is in prayer, working hard at your job, raising a family, or just honoring the Lord with your time, talents, and treasures. There is a word for this and it is NOT insanity. It is called faithfulness.

- Chad