Scripture - Luke 1:11-20 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." 18 And Zacharias said to the angel,"How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years." 19 And the angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. 20 But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time."
Observation - Zechariah and Elizabeth were praying for a child. They had been seeking God and wanting so desperately to have a child a son that could carry on the lineage of Zechariah. Gabriel comes along and tells Zechariah during his temple service that he is going to have a son and that his son will do great things for God. Zechariah's response is to verbally doubt the words of the angel. To prove the miracle - Zechariahs mouth is shut until the promise is fulfilled.
Application - Too often we talk ourselves right out of the promise. God send the answer that we have been waiting for - the thing that has been so deep in our hearts desire. Then our response is to tell God - I don't understand how that could be possible. I am not sure you would answer this way. I am not confident this is the way it should be. Our mouths get us in so much trouble and talk us right out of the things God is trying to do in our lives. I believe that going into 2010 - I need to begin speaking the things as though they are - even before I see them in reality. My words need to speak the wonderful works of God. Speak the reality of what God has promised. Not only hearing but believing!!!
Prayer - God forgive my unbelief. I want to speak the words that agree with your promise and that testify to the good you do. Help me God to believe your words and to walk in the power of the miraculous. I love you Lord and am anticipating all that you have in store this year.
Observation - Zechariah and Elizabeth were praying for a child. They had been seeking God and wanting so desperately to have a child a son that could carry on the lineage of Zechariah. Gabriel comes along and tells Zechariah during his temple service that he is going to have a son and that his son will do great things for God. Zechariah's response is to verbally doubt the words of the angel. To prove the miracle - Zechariahs mouth is shut until the promise is fulfilled.
Application - Too often we talk ourselves right out of the promise. God send the answer that we have been waiting for - the thing that has been so deep in our hearts desire. Then our response is to tell God - I don't understand how that could be possible. I am not sure you would answer this way. I am not confident this is the way it should be. Our mouths get us in so much trouble and talk us right out of the things God is trying to do in our lives. I believe that going into 2010 - I need to begin speaking the things as though they are - even before I see them in reality. My words need to speak the wonderful works of God. Speak the reality of what God has promised. Not only hearing but believing!!!
Prayer - God forgive my unbelief. I want to speak the words that agree with your promise and that testify to the good you do. Help me God to believe your words and to walk in the power of the miraculous. I love you Lord and am anticipating all that you have in store this year.
