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 answered, "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. 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 proper time."
"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called" the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God." "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.
Luke 1:18-20
"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called" the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God." "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.
Luke 1:34-38
The angel Gabriel was sent with separate messages Zechariah & Mary about the child they will bear. Both seemed to respond with a question but why was it only Zechariah who lacked faith? At first glance, it seemed they equally had doubt about what was prophesied. What was the difference? Zechariah's response was more of a "prove it to me" or "I'll believe it when I see it" attitude. On the other hand, Mary's response was more of "Yes, LORD; I don't understand but what's next?" type of question. Zechariah's response showed that he doubted himself & God's power while Mary also doubted her flesh but didn't question the power of God. We must never doubt God's reach in our lives.
I'm a prime example of someone who tells God, "I'll believe it when I see it." I really don't want to be like this. I would love to be able to say "Yes, Lord!" in every single aspect of my life and jump readily at His call. That's my desire, that's where I want to be... but how do I get there? I need to be obedient to the small things everyday. Praying when the Holy Spirit prompts me, doing my devotions when I'm busy or tired, reaching out to loved ones immediately when my heart's nudged... these are the little things that will mature my sensitivity to God's call. Do I really believe God chose Elizabeth and Mary to bear these children if they weren't ready for the call? God found them faithful by the many previous seasons.
Glorious and heavenly Father, thank You for choosing me to be a part of Your family & kingdom. I know I have so much more to learn, please forgive me of my unfaithfulness and disobedience. I need to be only concerned with my next choice for tomorrow will be taken care of by Your mighty hands. Teach me to respond in obedience like the mother of our King & Savior. I will make Your ways known by my actions today. Praise to You my Wonderful Counselor!
I'm a prime example of someone who tells God, "I'll believe it when I see it." I really don't want to be like this. I would love to be able to say "Yes, Lord!" in every single aspect of my life and jump readily at His call. That's my desire, that's where I want to be... but how do I get there? I need to be obedient to the small things everyday. Praying when the Holy Spirit prompts me, doing my devotions when I'm busy or tired, reaching out to loved ones immediately when my heart's nudged... these are the little things that will mature my sensitivity to God's call. Do I really believe God chose Elizabeth and Mary to bear these children if they weren't ready for the call? God found them faithful by the many previous seasons.
Glorious and heavenly Father, thank You for choosing me to be a part of Your family & kingdom. I know I have so much more to learn, please forgive me of my unfaithfulness and disobedience. I need to be only concerned with my next choice for tomorrow will be taken care of by Your mighty hands. Teach me to respond in obedience like the mother of our King & Savior. I will make Your ways known by my actions today. Praise to You my Wonderful Counselor!
No comments:
Post a Comment