Often we stand in amazement at the people God chooses to use for His glory and in His service. I believe we are also amazed how God uses folk who we may have given up on a long time ago. But as we look inward, are we not always happy to see how God looks beyond our own weakness and imperfections and still uses us in His Kingdom work? Zechariah doubted when he was told about the birth of a son, and his sight was taken, yet God later used Zechariah to prophecy to His people. I wonder what God has in store for you in His Kingdom work?
DATE POSTED Wednesday, 2021-08-25
WRITTEN AT: Hattiesburg, MS
BY: Ed Algreen
SCRIPTURE FROM: Luke 1:62-64; 67
TRANSLATION: The Passion Translation (TPT)
BIBLE TEXT: 62 So they gestured to the baby’s father to ask what to name the child. 63 He motioned for a writing tablet, and to the amazement of all, he wrote, “His name is John.” 64 Instantly Zechariah could speak again. And his first words were praises to the Lord. 67 Then Zechariah was filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit and he prophesied, saying:
APPLICATION: A worker in the temple, yet Zechariah was in shock over God’s response to his prayers about his wife having a child. In fact, Zechariah and Elizabeth had given up on the idea of ever having a child. But God never gave up on them, for it seems like He had them in mind for a very special blessing – to birth a son who would be the forerunner of Jesus Christ. Because of the doubt and question at the time when the angel of God appeared to Zechariah, his speech was taken away from him. However, as Zechariah witnessed miracle after miracle transpire – especially in seeing his wife beginning to show signs of pregnancy, his heart was touched and his faith was rekindled. I wonder what it would take for God to truly get our attention and convince us to place our often shaken faith and trust in Him? You see, I believe that we build our faith based on those things that seem possible to us. When met with something outside of that realm, I believe that our red flags are raised and we doubt, at least until we gain added faith, or see something that makes the impossible seem possible. But Zechariah kept looking up and eventually his faith was strengthened to see God evident in his son’s birth. Upon acknowledging this, God quickly moved to use this man for His glory through prophecy. I believe that from a human point of view, if we knew all that God knew about Zechariah and his doubt, he would have been the last person on earth that we would have listened to, and he would probably have to show miraculous works for us to believe that He was truly God’s messenger. Aren’t you glad that it’s God who judges us and not our fellow human friends? God knows our heart, so He knows that although we may sin, yet He still has confidence that we could be His faithful followers, given the right guidance and wisdom to overcome earthly weaknesses. Praise God He is willing to work with us and use us for His glory, as and when needed. What an awesome God that we serve!
BLESSING(S) NOTED: God used a man, who failed to believe an angel of God, to prophesy to His people. Praise God for seeing the ‘gold’ in our hearts even though we see nothing but doubt and failures!
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, You created us, so I believe You are well aware of our weaknesses and our failures. However, in Your perfect love, You still love us anyway. Like in the case of Zechariah, we can expect to be punished from time to time for our doubts and fears, but praise God you didn’t give up on Zechariah, nor do I believe You will give up on us. I believe that time left here on earth is growing very short, so Lord I pray that You will show us clearly what we are to do, and give us the boldness and strength to do it. We want Your name to be lifted on high, so Lord I pray that You will receive glory from all things accomplished by Your kids today. May Your kingdom come oh Lord, on earth as it is in heaven. AMEN!