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Zechariah A Man Like Me
John DangananLuke 1:19-20, “And the angel answered him, “‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time."
Unbelief gets even the best of men. Sometimes despite the miracles and the signs and wonders of confirmations, doubt still conquers faith. Zechariah was a priest in the division of Abijah and along with his wife were both “righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord” (v. 6). His character echoes the same sentiment as the revered Job. Even seasoned veterans who have a long and proven track record of integrity, character and godliness are smitten by doubt. Doubt enters our bloodstream masked as logic and reason shoots directly to our hearts, which is is supposed to be guarded above all else because it is the wellspring of life. Even after the angel Gabriel appears to him in the temple, confirms that their prayer for a son has been answered and gives specific confirmation that his name will be John, he will do great things before the Lord, will have the spirit and power of Elijah restoring fathers to children, cause the disobedient to accept the wisdom of the godly and prepare the people for the coming of the Lord Zechariah still doubted. He still questioned and didn’t believe—he traded what he didn’t know for what he did know. He traded the question of logistics for the assurance of the promise.
God has shown to me time and time again his faithfulness and promise. There is grace for doubting but I definitely don’t want to be silenced by my unbelief. In this season of preparation, stand firm in faith. Never trade what I know of God’s calling and promise for what I don’t know of logistics and how it’s going to come into fruition. My entire life’s purpose is based on the belief that God loves me that he sent a man over two thousand years ago, conceived by virgin birth, who was 100% God and 100% man to live a perfect life as a substitute for my sin, died my death on the cross and was resurrected to give me a guarantee of eternal life, I can rest assured that he will fulfill his calling in my life.
