What does it take for us to trust God, I mean really trust Him? We come before Him in prayer and ask Him to help us over, and over, and over. Then we walk away an wonder if we can trust Him with handling it.
Zechariah and Elizabeth wanted a child really, really bad, but it just wasn't happening. Zechariah served the church faithfully for years and his wife was a Godly women who loved the LORD but also loved her husband. They wanted desperately to have and raise a child and felt they could honor God well in doing so. Now time and age was working against them, and they had all but given up. Then something amazing happened, God sent an angel to tell them the wonderful news that not only was God going to give them a son, but this son would point everyone to the Messiah. Here is Zechariah's response:
18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” ( Lk 1:18, NIV)
Unfortunately Zechariah is just like us, he was letting the circumstances dictate his view on whether or Not God could or could not answer his prayer. God responds by telling Gabriel to tell Zechariah that He was going to give them a child anyway, but God was going to press "the mute button" on Zechariah to teach him a lesson on faith:
19 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. 20 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.” (Lk 1:19-20, NIV)
Now before you pass too much judgment on Zechariah, imagine how quiet it would be around if God pressed the "mute button" on everyone who lacked faith on God answering their prayers. Why we would all have to learn sign language or walk around with note pads and pens. Well, for the next nine months Zechariah had to do that, when it was time for the baby to be born he handed them a note that read "Name Him John", the very next thing that came out of His mouth:
64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God. 65 The neighbors were all filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. ( Lk 1:64-65, NIV)
He praised God! HE PRAISED GOD!!!
You and I don't have the mute button pressed, you and i have the opportunity everyday to praise God, pray to God, and speak to others about God.....let's take that opportunity
have a blessed day..... Chris :)
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