Christian Living

The Two Responses

by paul hoffmaster
09/07/20
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Gabriel, the angelic messenger of God, was sent to deliver messages to two unsuspecting individuals.  The first message was to a priest named Zacharias.  For years he prayed that he and his wife would have a child.  Finally, after decades of hopeful expectations, their hope ground to a halt.  They realized that after passing the fertility age, as well as Elizabeth being declared barren, they would steadfastly continue serving God in whatever way they could.  The Bible says they were truly a faithful example of followers of God. (Luke 1:6)  Years after the impossible, the possible was manifested.  While Zacharias was performing his duties in the Temple, Gabriel appeared and told him, “Thy prayer is heard.” (Luke 1:13)  For the next few moments, Zacharias heard about the child they would bring into the world. (Luke 1:13-18)  How he responded to the message caused an unnecessary rebuke and consequence.  He was in fact questioning God’s word. 

I wonder how many of us have prayed earnestly and sincerely about a request (I hope it was a request and not a demand), only to hear the “sounds of silence” resounding through our heads?  We must realize that, unlike God, we tend to put things in a time frame.  Our time zone is the ETZ (earthly time zone) while God operates in a timeless atmosphere.  Our time is usually attached to limits and time restraints, while God has no restrictions or time references.  Believers tend to respond to tangibles, things they can experience through logic and reason.  God tends to deal beyond the natural into the realm of the supernatural.  The only way to accept God’s methodology is by the key called Faith.  Even though Zacharias was a righteous individual, he operated on this occasion with “scientific” reasoning.  I would love to have seen Zacharias jump for joy when he was told his prayer was being answered, but he was human and chose the “mind” route over the spirit road.  We serve a mighty God and the sooner we realize it, the sooner we will see results based on Faith instead of faithless reasoning. 

The second angelic message was to a young virgin named Mary.  Her encounter with Gabriel was also a mind-boggling experience.  She was told that she would have a son and he would be called the “Son of the Highest.”  The more the angel shared, the more her mind challenged the experience.  Innocently, she asked him how this could happen for she had never been with a man. (Luke 1:34)  The more he shared, the more she must have felt bewildered.  How could she possibly comprehend the magnitude of the action that was to transpire?  Gabriel, sensing her uncertainty, put a faith-building block on top of her surprise revelation.  Her elderly cousin Elizabeth was six months pregnant! (Luke 1:36)  Gabriel was telling her that there is nothing impossible with God.  God controls life and it is nothing for Him to use a barren and aged woman, as well as a virgin in Nazareth, to bring forth life.  Mary, shocked, simply said, “Be it unto me according to thy word.” (Luke 1:38)  The Bible says she immediately took off to Elizabeth’s house to verify what was told her.  Upon her arrival, her cousin prophesied over her confirming what Gabriel had told her! (Luke 1:45)  When God reveals something to us, let us be aware that there will be confirmation of that truth. 

Let us put our watches away and trust that His word will be fulfilled in His timeless manner!  Let us trust God beyond our human reasoning.  (Reference Luke 1:1-45)