And those who love it will eat its fruit.
Proverbs 18:21 NKJV
A Priest Blameless
During the years that Zacharias was waiting for his prayer to be answered he, and his barren wife were found blameless in the sight of the Lord. They were both up in age, and both descendants of Aaron that walked according to all the commandments and ordinances of God.
As a priest Zacharias had been faithful for many years. I wonder if he expected to ever draw the lot that he did. Can you imagine after waiting for so long that you just give up on your expectations.
Beyond Expectations
However, he drew the lot to enter the Holy place inside the temple. So in he went to burn incense, and suddenly something else he had not expected happened. An angel appeared. Imagine the pitch blackness of this place. Only lamp oil to light the way, but drowned out by the smoke of the incense as it filled the room, and then bam, a glorious angel like nothing ever seen before shows up and he knows your name.
The angel told him that his prayers had been heard. First opportunity to rejoice. Then was informed that his wife, even in her old age was to have a son who would prepare the way of the Lord. Second one. He was even told his name, which meant “Yahweh is Gracious”. Another. He was told that the birth would bring him great joy and that many would rejoice. Another. Gabriel had told him that his son would go forth in the spirit and the power of Elijah.
Instead of rejoicing, he trembling asks, “How shall this be?”
About the Questions
I have always been interested in the angel’s response. Until today. Mary asked the same question, and the angel told her through the power of the Holy Spirit. Her response was, “Be it unto me according to your word.”
But, Zacharias, his question having been the same, got this response:
I am Gabriel who stands in the presence of God. I have been sent to you, and because you don’t believe I am shutting up your mouth until it comes to pass.
Why? Because Zacharias was focusing on his ability, and his wife’s age, and not the scripture, the word of God, which he had known all his life. He was a priest, faithful and always at synagogue. Yet, he ignored the word of God, and the prophecy of one like Elijah coming, and focused instead on what he saw, and tried to use human logic. Since the Ark had been gone from the temple and a stone was in its place it was shocking that God would speak after all these hundreds of years. Four hundred to be exact.
If his mouth was allowed to be opened any longer he would have certainly spoke against what was to come to pass. So nothing, “Nada” was uttered for months. When the child was born he was allowed to speak. Imagine his waiting. Imagine his proclaiming, “His name is John.”
Focus and Speaking Determination
In the waiting we can lose our hope and expectation. In our waiting we can focus on what we see before us instead of on what God’s word has said regarding our situation.
Maybe, what we need is to remember God’s words to us. Remember and then speak life. His word is life. Begin thanking God after that because He is not a man who He should lie to us. Are you expecting? Do you need to change your focus and what you are saying? It
<3Melinda
P.S. I am taking a sabbatical from writing the blog. Some of you may already know this because you subscribe to Another Samaritan Woman. I am writing a book, and launching a church. Before I return to school in the summer I wish to use my valuable writing time to accomplish completing my manuscript, or at least working towards it. With my kids home for the summer time to work is precious. I will begin blogging again in the fall. That is my plan, but God’s prevails.
Until then, will you pray for me as I write? I need those who will pray for God’s will to be done, and for his kingdom purpose to prevail in the writing. Thank you for your prayers in advance. You, my reader, will be the first to know my progress. I plan to post prayer requests as I go along. Or, in research, a poll. God bless you until we meet here again.
Another Samaritan Woman 