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How Will I Respond?
Tim Savage18Zechariah 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.”
19Then 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! 20But 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.”
38Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her. Luke 1
Here in Luke 1 we see two different people, each a strong follower of God, but with two different answers to His direction. The angel Gabriel visited both Zechariah and Mary and gave them news that was quite unbelievable, but given that the news was delivered by a supernatural angel sent from God himself, how could you not believe? Zechariah doubted, while Mary was submitted to God’s plan. They were both devoted believers, but faced with impossible situations, they had different responses to the instructions.
How strong is my faith? I can believe in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, but do I actually put my faith in Him to do the impossible? I’ve witnessed many miracles – I’ve seen Him hold back storms and I’ve seen Him provide when there was no provision in sight, and yet I’m guilty of having little faith at times. Which path would I take, Zechariah’s or Mary’s? Honestly, I’d probably be struck silent for a few months for questioning His omnipotence. God’s will was still done, but there was a cost for Zechariah’s unbelief. May I follow the example of Mary and put aside what I may know or understand as reality or science and keep my belief and faith firmly rooted in the omnipotent and omniscient One. I bet there would be even more miracles if we only believed more.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Forgive me for my disbelief, may I never stand in the way of Your miracles. Thank You for giving me the opportunity to serve You even with my many flaws. Please help me to be a better husband, father, leader, servant. Please grant me courage and strength in a time when I will need it more and more.
In Jesus name,
Amen
