Make Room for the Impossible

SCRIPTURE
"The angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news And behold, you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time." (Luke 1:19-20)

OBSERVATION
His name was Zacharias. He honored the Law of God. He loved God and he worked as a priest in the temple. One day as he was performing his duties, he found himself being chosen to light incense before the Lord, inside the temple. This man of God walked in, and was amazed to see an angel waiting for him, an angel sent by God.

Fear struck the deepest chords of his heart. As he regained his breath, and maybe as some of the blood began to return to his face, the angel told him the good news. He was going to have a baby!

I think that the angel Gabriel might have been expecting joy and excitement...maybe even a "thank God," but he received no such response. Zacharias doubted his words, and asked for a sign. Doubt had struck, and left no room for the miraculous. Therefore the angel made Zacharias mute (he could not talk) until the baby was born.

APPLICATION
Doubt can strike us all! Sometimes I can find myself in the same shoes as Zacharias. I place God in a box. My mind tells me what God can and cannot do, and I forget to leave room for the miraculous. I forget that God is good. I forget the promises, and the provisions that are set apart for those who follow Jesus. I must remember that the Bible says, "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him, "Hebrews 11:16.

This year, I want to be a person who makes room from the miraculous!

PRAYER
Father,
Forgive me for crowding out the possibility that You might be doing a miracle, even now. I guess my faith starts with these two words..."I believe!" Help my unbelief when it strikes. In Jesus Name, Amen.