THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST: SCARS FROM AN OLD WOUND

It was the biggest day of his life. Many priests in Israel would live an entire lifetime and never get

this opportunity. At long last he would enter the Holy Place. There he would burn incense on the altar in front of the Most Holy Place as the congregation waited outside to see the smoke rise. The smoke symbolized the prayers of the people, when they saw it, they would fall on their faces and offer up their prayers and thanksgivings. In a sense, Zechariah was standing as close to God as a man could in the day, leading his nation in prayer. So he shouldn’t have been all that surprised when he saw an angel standing there with him.

Zechariah was surprised. He was not only surprised, but unbelieving; when he heard the angel speaking those thrilling and comforting words, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, your prayer has been heard," all the old man could muster was, "How can I be sure of this?" One who stood in the very presence of God had told this aging priest that he and his wife would finally have the son they had so long prayed for. But it wasn’t enough.

We may be amazed that after all these years of serving God and praying, Zechariah was now doubting God’s answer to his prayer. We may wonder why Zechariah would disbelieve an angel. How can this be? Sadly, for Zechariah, his faith was suffering from scars from an old wound. The years of waiting for a child had taken their toil on Zachariah’s faith. His fear of disappointment made him prefer the safety of doubt to the risk of believing.

Is this a description of you? Do you find yourself hanging back where you would most like to move forward, shrugging your shoulders when everything in you wants to embrace God’s love for you? Is your prayer life stuck in a rut because of a frightened and weakened faith? Remember, the only difference between a rut and a grave is in their dimensions.

Jesus' greatest promises are for those who keep on seeking and asking in faith. But he is merciful even to those who are weak. Zechariah still go his longed-for-child, even though he underwent a season of divine discipline. God's faithfulness is greater than your doubt and fear. Don’t ask God, in unbelief. "How can it be?" Ask him, in wonder and gratitude, "Amazing love! How can it be?" (Charles Wesley).