Take heart, dear sister, for we have this assurance! (4)

Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”

The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time." - Luke 1: 18-20, NIV 

Reactions reveal our heart condition! 

... and just how is that a good assurance??? 

 “…God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.” - Hebrews 12:10b

God reveals truth to us about ourselves...

so that we can repent and be more like Jesus!

 

Oh Zacharias, I have often speculated the many reasons as to why you reacted to Gabriel’s message the way you did.  I wonder if all the human encounters with angels are met with humans asking questions. We are funny people, aren't we? Still, I’d really like to know. Why? Was it simply a cultural habit of skepticism that led you to challenge the mighty angel of God? Had you lost hope so much so that you couldn’t accept a blessing from God?

The kingdom of Israel was overrun by other nations, and YHWH had been silent for a very long time. Then, there was the one thing you wanted more than anything else. What else was left but to survive by living a life of righteousness as you waited for the long-awaited Messiah?

The passionate song you poured out clearly reveals that you reflected on God’s greatness, faithfulness, the wonder of life, and how small you are. I love how Abba God changed your heart, rekindling your confidence in YHWH, and bringing you great joy

Oh, Zacharias, your story gives me such hope and convicts me that God is greater than I dream, more involved in my life than I think, more faithful to fulfill His promises than I believe, and worthy of all honor – more than I give.

Abba God, thank You for working in Zacharias' life and sharing his story with us. Thank You for revealing my heart to me so I can repent - and for conforming me to Jesus' image. Create in me a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit in me. Enable me to serve You without fear in holiness and righteousness all my days. Give me the ability to pray big, to believe that You are active in my life, and a passion to give You more honor. In Jesus' name.

 

Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:

“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
because he has come to his people and redeemed them.
He has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David
(as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),
salvation from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us—
to show mercy to our ancestors
and to remember his holy covenant,
the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
to rescue us from the hand of our enemies,
and to enable us to serve him without fear
in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
to give his people the knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God,
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
to shine on those living in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

And the child grew and became strong in spirit... - from Luke 1:67-80, NIV