Christmas: The Divine Interruption Sample

Zacharias  

In many ways, Zacharias reminds me of lots of people in our modern world who find it difficult to believe that God is really that good. And it’s particularly interesting to me that Zacharias, a priest who had dutifully and deeply studied God’s Word, struggled to believe that God would do something so supernatural and defy what he had accepted as status quo. Just because we may have a strong religious background or training doesn’t ensure that we will respond with full faith to God’s goodness and love to us. And maybe that’s exactly why Zacharias was mute for nine months - better to be silent than to express unbelief!

Nevertheless, after nine months, Elizabeth gave birth to a son and Zacharias was given the ability to speak again when he affirmed that his son’s name was John. In a season of unbelief or doubt, it’s helpful to recognize a few important points: 

• Limited time: How long a season of doubt lasts is something we get to control because we are responsible for our decisions to doubt or believe. 
• Trust: God’s promises to us are trustworthy and often exceed what we can understand in our natural thinking. 
• Divine fulfillment: God’s promises to us will happen, regardless of where we find ourselves on the fulfillment timeline. Sometimes God’s promises come to fruition in a “shazam moment” like Elizabeth giving birth to John the Baptist. And sometimes God’s promises come to fruition a little bit at a time, incrementally in pieces and parts. But no matter the timeline, God’s promises happen. “For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us” (2 Corinthians 1:20).

Reflection: Take a moment to ask God to help you with various specific doubts you may have about His promises to you. Who in your life could be going through a difficult season of doubt, like Zacharias? Take a few moments to pray for them now.