December 1, 1999
LIFE & WORK SERIES:
Respond to God's leading
from a position of belief
___Luke 1:1-80
___By Debra Hochgraber
___Women's Evangelism Consultant, BGCT, Dallas
___We special-ordered a new couch recently and were told to expect delivery in eight weeks. The eight weeks had passed, so I called the company to ask about the delay. "It is only six days past the expected date. Please be patient and wait a little longer." Obviously, that is something I do not do well. None of us really enjoys waiting. Sometimes when it pertains to waiting on the promises of God, we begin to doubt if he is working at all.
___Zechariah, the priest, and his wife desired a child. They were elderly and Elizabeth bore the stigma of barrenness in a culture placing great value on bearing children. But they had remained "upright in the sight of God" (Luke 1:6), praying persistently for a child. TheLord heard their prayers (v. 13) and sent an angel to announce the birth of their son (v.11). This man who had waited faithfully then began to doubt the Lord. He did not believe the words of the angel (v. 20). There were consequences to his responding from this position of unbelief. His ability to speak was taken away until the birth of their son.
___Did Zechariah and Elizabeth get angry and turn from God in light of these consequences? No, they worked through their doubts, trusting the Lord anew, being obedient to him, allowing him to grow them during this time of waiting.
___Just a minute. Didn't Mary ask how the Lord would give her a child? She was not punished. Gideon asked how the Lord would destroy Israel's enemies. The Lord answered him with a miraculous sign. Why be so tough on Zechariah?
___Remember, the Lord knows our hearts. Zechariah was responding from a position of unbelief. He simply did not believe God could do this. Mary's question came from a believing heart, desiring to understand her role more fully (Luke 1:34). Gideon was not doubting the Lord. He merely asked to have his role defined (Judges 6:15).
___Do we respond to the Lord from a position of belief or unbelief? Malachi 3:10 has given us God's promise concerning tithing. Do we respond from a position of belief, obediently trusting his faithfulness? Matthew 6:33 asks that we "seek first the kingdom of God," and all that is important will be added to our lives. Do we run ahead of God, taking things into our own hands, or remain obedient, trusting that what is truly important for our lives will certainly be on his heart?
___If we have responded from a position of unbelief, it is likely there have been consequences. We can be restored as was Zechariah. Learn more about God's will through his word. Ask forgiveness. Trust what God has spoken. Practice persistent faithfulness again. Grow through the time of waiting.
___We see a Spirit-filled Zechariah at the end of the chapter, excitedly proclaiming the Lord's praise, grateful he will be able to "serve him without fear ... all our days" (Luke 1:74-75).
Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!