Today’s Reading: Luke 1:1-25, 57-66; Psalm 94

HAVE YOU EVER ARGUED WITH GOD?

When God answers your prayers, do you find yourself with more follow-up questions than words of praise and thanksgiving? Is your gratitude ever tainted with a spirit of self-pity or impatience? Have you ever heard God’s promise but then lacked the faith to believe that He was really speaking to you? Do you ever struggle to believe that God is truly saying what you have been waiting to hear for so long?

This is the story of Zechariah, a Jewish priest. He and his wife, Elizabeth, were righteous in God’s eyes as they carefully observed the decrees and commands of the Lord. They were both very old and had never been able to conceive or have children of their own. We know from Luke 1:13 that Zechariah had prayed to the Lord for a son, but his prayers had not yet been answered. In fact, at this age, it seemed an impossible prayer to keep praying. Have you ever prayed for something that seemed out of reach?

HAVE YOU EVER HOPED FOR THE IMPROBABLE OR PRAYED FOR THE IMPOSSIBLE?

One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. – Luke 1:8-9

There were 24 orders of priests (1 Chronicles 24) and then a large number of priests in each order. On this day, Zechariah’s order was on duty, so they cast lots to see who would have the honor of entering the sanctuary of the Lord to keep the incense burning. It was possible that a priest may never be chosen or that this would be a once in a lifetime opportunity for a priest. Today, the lot fell to Zechariah.

While Zechariah was in the sanctuary of the Lord, he focused on the incense altar. While he was tending to the flame, making sure that it did not go out, an angel of the Lord appeared to him. This was the first time in the New Testament that a person spoke with an angel, and it was at a time when Zechariah was doing what the Lord had called him by birth to do. Luke described Zechariah as shaken and overwhelmed with fear at the sight of the angel.

But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord.” – Luke 1:13-15a

GOD HAS HEARD YOUR PRAYER AND HE IS ANSWERING IN A SPECIAL WAY.

God had a purpose all along. While understanding was beyond the reach of Zechariah and Elizabeth, they continued to serve the Lord. In doing so, they were prepared to be a part of God’s story; they were positioned to be the parents of a very special young man with a very specific purpose in life.

“He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.” – Luke 1:15b-17

AT TIMES, GOD’S PROMISES SEEM IMPOSSIBLE AND WE DOUBT HIS WAYS; WE QUESTION HIS TIMING.

Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.”

Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.” – Luke 1:18-20

Because of their age, Zechariah struggled to believe this amazing message delivered by Gabriel. Instead of praising God, he argued and asked more questions, so God silenced him. Zechariah lacked the faith to believe the angel was really saying what he had been longing to hear for so many years.

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN SILENCED BY GOD?

When Zechariah’s week of service in the Temple was over, he returned home. Soon afterward his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months. “How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.” – Luke 1:23-25

When it was time, Elizabeth gave birth to a son and declared his name would be John. When those around her argued that she needed to choose a family name, Zechariah wrote these words: “His name is John.” It was in that moment of obedience that Zechariah’s voice came back and Zechariah began praising God! (Luke 1:57-64)

I wonder if God ever considers silencing us. At times he asks us to be silent in order to spend more time listening for His voice; He asks us to silence the noise so that we can hear His gentle whisper. Perhaps God desires for us to receive His words today without comment, sarcasm, questions, cynicism or doubt.

I wait quietly before God,
for my victory comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress where I will never be shaken. – Psalm 62:1-2

Lord, we wait before you today in silence. Our desire is to hear from you so we ask that you help us block out the distractions in order to hear your voice; help us to silence the chaos and focus on you. Father God, we ask for an increase in faith so that we can believe your promises to be true and trust that your plan is always the perfect plan. Amen.

Unless the Lord had helped me,
I would soon have settled in the silence of the grave.
I cried out, “I am slipping!”
but your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me.
When doubts filled my mind,
your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. – Psalm 94:17-19