Scripture
Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years." The angel answered, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time."
Luke 1:18-20
"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. "Blessed is she who has believe that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"
Luke 1:38,45
Observation
What we read in Luke today is a wonderful study in faith, trust, belief and responding to an unexpected revelation from God. Zechariah, the priest, was surprised by the angel as he went into the Holy Place to burn incense. The angel told him that he would have a son with a special ministry for God. But Zechariah's response was, "How can this be? How can I be sure of this? Both I and my wife are too old to be having kids!" Now, I'm sure in a discussion among his fellow priests, Zechariah would have been quick to say, "Oh, I believe with all my heart that God is all-powerful and He can do anything!" But when God invaded his life that day in the temple, the limits of Zechariah's faith were exposed. His first reaction was doubt and unbelief, and that, obviously, did not please the angel Gabriel at all. And I believe that Gabriel's reaction gives us a little clue about how God must feel about our doubt and unbelief. So Zechariah had to pay a price for his doubt and suffer the inability to speak until the day that the son of God's promise was to be dedicated in the temple.
In contrast to Zechariah, we have Mary, the young woman engaged to be married to Joseph. The angel Gabriel also appears to her and tells her that she will be giving birth to the Son of God. And although she responds with a question as well, it is a very legitimate question that has no tinge of doubt in it. She basically asks, "So...uh...what's going to happen to me? How will I be getting pregnant?" See, she's not doubting that she will be pregnant with God's Son, she was just wondering about the process, a very legitimate question. And a question that Gabriel gladly answered as best he could, and Mary's response said it all, "I am the Lord's servant, may it be done as you have said." Total submission, total belief, which was ready and willing to be put into action.
Later, Zechariah's wife, Elizabeth, who also happened to be Mary's relative, told Mary, under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, that God called her, "Blessed." Why? Because she believed what the Lord had spoken to her.
Application
Hebrews 11:6 says, "And without faith it is impossible to please God,..." And so that would seem to be true in these two similar situations in Luke. Zechariah doubted and God was not pleased, Mary believed and was declared to be blessed. It's so clear in these verses. But is it that clear in our lives, in the midst of the busyness and activities of the 21st century? Well, I guess the bottom line is that even though times may have changed, God has not. And without faith it is still impossible to please Him. Why? Because He has always proven Himself true and faithful, throughout all the ages. But when we doubt Him, what we are really saying of Him is, that He is not true and faithful and trustworthy, and that in my particular situation, I can't really trust Him. Ooh. How that must hurt our Lord, who has never failed us or forsaken us.
And yet, I can write these words, but when faced with impossible looking circumstances, I will often fall into the same pit of fear, and doubt, lack of trust. Ah, but when I do it, it's understandable, because look at the situation and all the extenuating circumstances! Uh no, it's still the same doubt and unbelief that Zechariah demonstrated, and I just need to learn how to walk in the innocent faith of someone like Mary. It's also interesting that the one who doubted was a priest, a guy who should have known better and should have known God better, and should have had a lot more faith than a young girl. And it's so sad to see Zechariah doubt. I need to realize that it's no better when I a pastor and leader go through my times of doubting, questioning, and struggling with belief. I need to realize that not only am I not pleasing God during that time, I am bringing Him dishonor as I, a leader demonstrate a refusal to trust the Lord. It's so wrong, and so worthless! This must change!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, Please forgive me for times that I have doubted and failed to trust You. You are the All-powerful, All-knowing, All-loving God and You have always been faithful, always. Forgive me for not believing in Your perfect love for me and for not believing in Your power to do things way beyond the limits of what I can conceive!
I choose today to rise up in a new level of faith and trust. You are worthy of it all! I choose today to believe and trust You, no matter what!
© 2007 Pastor Jonathan Smith at New Hope Christian Fellowship O'ahu
Original found here.