Read Luke 1:1-25
Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.
In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.
Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”
Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”
And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 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. 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.” And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.
After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”
Meditate
Today is #GivingTuesday. It is the day set aside at Christmas for people to give to their favorite cause. I decided to conduct a small campaign for our internship program and ask people to give a one-time gift. Kathy asked me what my goal was. I told her my heart of faith was praying for $10,000, but my head of reason was expecting $10. To paraphrase scripture, I believed, but I needed some help with my unbelief.
I understand Zechariah.
He has spent years serving God, taking care of his responsibilities, living a life of obedience. There was just one thing he and his wife really wanted.
A child.
That was their daily prayer. Maybe, as they got older, their hourly prayer. It was their heart’s grandest desire.
Then, in an angelic encounter, he hears the words, “Your prayer has been heard and your wife Elizabeth will have a son.” Finally, an answer from God. Let the choirs sing, release the doves, strike up the band. The prayer has been answered!
But, this is real life. Zechariah utters these words in response, “I want to believe this, but it is pretty impossible for this prayer to be answered.” After all, the angel didn’t have a baby in their hands ready to give to Zechariah. The answer seemed, well, still in process. In fact, it was a nine-month process.
I have prayers like this. So do you. I have things I have asked God that are decades old and I have not seen them come to pass yet. I have promises. I still believe these prayers will be answered, but I am realistic enough to feel that time may be against me. The answers are still in process.
So, I have to learn to be quiet and let God be God. I continue to believe, not out of blind hope or wishful thinking, but out of my faith in him. I have to trust the process.
This is what Christmas is about. It is the story in which our belief comes face to face with our unbelief and we find ourselves believing the unbelievable. Old people and virgins having children? Unbelievable!
Until the unbelievable is born. Until nine months passes. And that changes everything.
Pray
“Father, I believe, but I do have some unbelief. There are prayers I pray daily, there are promises that I have received, and it is easy to feel as if they are never heard. But you have heard my prayers. So I will be silent before you. I will trust you. I will learn to believe the unbelievable.”
Contemplate
- Be the answer to someone’s prayers today and perform an act of service. Visit a friend and listen to them. Buy the person in line behind you a coffee. Help them believe the unbelievable.
- Years ago, Dr. Ray Brock told me to pray over a situation. He asked me to pray Jacob’s famous declaration as he wrestled the Angel of the Lord, “I will not let you go, lest you bless me.” Whatever your prayer has been, begin to declare before the Lord your belief in the answer. Do not let go of God. Trust in his process.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
