December 4, 2008

The Faithless Priest of God
Luke 1:18-20 (HCSB) 18 “How can I know this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.” 19 The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news. 20 Now listen! You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”
Smell the incense. It was probably pungent. It was there to cover the smell of death and blood. The Temple was also a place of sacrifice. I cannot imagine the smells that came from the holy of holies. Zechariah, a priest of God, was to take his turn in entering the Most Holy Place. The expexctation was that you would go into this place to hear from God. He did. Then he did not believe it.
We like to pick on people in the Bible when they do silly things. We look with hindsight at Zechariah and we think that he should have known better. He should have realized that an angel appearing to Him would know if he was going to have a baby or not. We think those things, then we turn around and do not believe God for the simplest things in our own lives. I’m just glad that every time I doubt God he doesn’t come in and close my mouth for nine months!

Questions for Discussion
What has God assured you, that you have a hard time believing?
How can you better walk in faith?
When we come to God, do we come to really hear from Him?

Prayer
Pray: “Dear God, I know you have assured us many things in your Word. Help us to believe and receive from you what you want us to have. Amen.”
Song
“O Come, All ye Faithful”