God is Invested in you

In Luke 1, we are introduced to Zechariah, a priest and his wife Elizabeth. We learn that they both were descendants of Aaron, were upright in the sight of God, were well along in years but had no children.

Once when Zechariah was on duty and was serving as priest in the temple before God, the angel Gabriel appears to him and says that his wife Elizabeth will bear him a son and he was to call him John. He would go before the Lord in spirit and power and make ready a people prepared for the Lord. In response Zechariah says “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” (Luke 1:18) The angel Gabriel replies “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 speak until the day happens because you did not believe my words, which will come true at the proper time.” (Luke 1:19-20)

Elizabeth conceives and gives birth to a son. When the boy was to be named, Elizabeth says he is to be called, John, but the relatives and neighbors around her say that there is no one of that name in their family for him to take that name. When they approach Zechariah as to what he would like to name his child, he writes down “His name is John. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed and he began to speak, praising God.” (Luke 1: 63-64).

Zechariah and Elizabeth had been waiting for many years to have a child. They along with the people of Israel have also been waiting for the promised Messiah to come.

In the very same chapter, in Luke 1: 26-38, we read of angel Gabriel appearing to Mary and speaking of the birth of Jesus. God was making a way for all of humanity to be restored to him. The gift of his grace, the gift of salvation was on the way for us all. And in preparation, he was going to bring into the world a child, who when grown, will speak of the Messiah and prepare the way for him. Just think about the significance of what God was planning and bringing forth into fruition.

As we keep that big picture in mind, let us zero in on Zechariah. He and his wife yearned for a child of their own and prayed for it. When Gabriel appears to him, he says, your prayers have been heard. But when Gabriel reveals that they would have a child, what was going through Zechariah’s mind. His thoughts are evident in his response. Zechariah had doubt in his mind. As Mathew 12:34 says “The mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”

Have you ever considered why God sent Gabriel to speak to Zechariah instead of Elizabeth? As a priest, whose main role was to serve in the temple, to enable the people of God to worship, did his worship begin to lack the faith and trust that he once had. Did the years of waiting on God, the unanswered prayers to be blessed with child, his and Elizabeth’s advanced years make him feel like it was never going to happen, that God had not answered his prayers, and did that put a dampener in his faith?

As Zechariah went in to perform his duties, he was startled when Gabriel appeared to him. Among all the places, the temple would have been a space where you enter with an expectation to hear from God. And when he does hear from God through Gabriel, the years of discouragement prevents him from accepting those words right away.

Zechariah seemed to be carrying out his role and fulfilling the duties he needed to as a priest, but God was privy to his thoughts and the condition of his heart, and he cared enough to address them.

An interesting aspect in this passage is where the angel Gabriel appears. It says, “he appeared standing at the right side of the altar of incense.” (Luke 1:11) Incense symbolizes the people’s prayers and the altar of incense represented access to God through prayer. And Zechariah was about to perform his duty of burning the incense. Mere coincidence, I think not, but what a reminder for us that when we approach God in prayer, long periods of waiting on God can make us go through the motions of prayer while laying aside the complete realisation of who we have access to as we pray.

While we looked at the big picture of what God was working at, in the midst of that, he did not overlook what Zechariah was struggling with. What seems like discipline for Zechariah of not being able to speak would have served as time for reflection for the doubt he displayed and that we do indeed serve a Holy God whose word should not be doubted.

So dear friends, find encouragement from Zechariah’s story in the fact that we serve a God who is God over the big and the little things. He is bringing about his plans and purposes, but he is also invested in each one of us. He cares about you, how you feel, the condition of your heart and where your faith is at. And I hope this truth serves to bolster your own journey of waiting on God. Do not give up on God, he is not only invested in saving you, but also in shaping you and drawing you to a deeper intimacy with him.

God Bless.