“I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news!” Luke 1:19
Day 3- We are three days into our journey to Bethlehem Elizabeth
Zechariah: Thank you so much for being faithful followers of Jesus and for taking this 25 day journey with family and friends of our Savior. I hope by the end of your quest you will be filled with more understanding and love for Jesus. Remember I told you yesterday that the news would leave me speechless? I was serious!
There I was standing in the sanctuary in the presence of the Angel of the Lord, when my true humanness took over. Hearing all that the Angel had said, I began looking at this situation as almost impossible. I think we all, at some point, maybe even on many occasions have experienced moments and thoughts such as these.
I had so many questions running through my mind; how could this be, are you sure my ears do not deceive me, we are old, is it even possible? And through all these thoughts this is what came out of my heart. “How can I know this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.” (Luke 1:18) It was just a little doubt, understandable right? NO and this is why.
The angel responded “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was He who sent me to bring you this good news! And now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you won’t be able to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly come true at the proper time.” Do you see why? It was God that sent the angel to tell me the good news, the very Creator, the One that has no impossibilities! Ya, not a good moment! Right then as I sat in my own sea of doubt, overwhelmed by the situation rather than how big our God is I became speechless! We have all had our times of being at a loss for words, but how often have we become speechless, literally?
Back outside as the people were waiting for me to come out and announce the blessing that would be upon them (Numbers 6:24-26) they began to wonder what was taking so long. The angel left and I finally came out and but my voice did not. So I began gesturing to the people. It was then they realized I must have seen a vision. Oh, and did I, but it was more than the vision, it was the news that came with the vision. (Luke 1:21-22)
So as Jewish priest’s do, we stay at the Temple until our week of duty is through and then we return home, and I did just that, speechless and all.
My week was over and as I headed home, speechless, I wondered how in the world I was going to be able to explain all of this to my wife. I made it home, walked in the door and just as I thought she was completely surprised and had many questions, and unfortunately I could not answer them.
Soon after my return, things settled down and Elizabeth did become pregnant just as the angel of the Lord had said.
I remember my wife saying, “How kind the Lord is! He has taken away my disgrace of having no children!” In our time to be childless was seen as a curse, so to know the favor He had upon us was great.
You see we should never doubt God’s promises. They are true, real, for sure, everlasting, and they come from Him and Him alone. We should instead live in complete assurance of His promises. Are you struggling with doubt? Are you looking at your situation as bigger than God? Are you listening to your thoughts instead of clinging to the promises of God? That is what I did, and I became speechless. We should find great joy in what He promises us, because He is the ONLY one that keeps them.
What does He promise? One of the greatest is what He spoke through my friend Jeremiah when He said “For I know the plans I have for you, “says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look at me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me. I will be found by you.” says the Lord. (Jeremiah 29:11) He also promises us the greatest gift of all, life through His Son Jesus. You have no life until you have accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. These are just a few, seek the Word of God it is full of promises.
Let’s go now together and share the promises of God with all who will hear!
“All that’s required is that you really believe and do not doubt in your heart.” Mark 11:23
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