And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man and my wife is well advanced in years.” Luke 1:18
Some of the most faith wrecking statements are “How shall I know that this will happen or How sure are you that what you say will happen or that God will even answer me?” There is an innate fear that perhaps the word of God you have received may not come to pass and because of that you seek guarantees to be certain. This is doubt at its best.
Faith in God seeks no guarantees, it simply believes without hesitation. It creates no excitement but a sudden calm in your spirit man which is almost tangible. Faith creates a meekness to the word of God from which it draws strength. It takes away anxiety, worry and fear for the unknown and firmly focuses your eyes on Jesus Christ.
There is something else you should know about faith; it possesses creative power. Faith creates expectation, unwavering commitment to the LORD and a firm resolve to wait upon the LORD. Faith chooses not to focus on the current state of affairs but on the unfailing promises of the everlasting God. It honors the words spoken by His servants even if those who uttered them are long gone to the with the LORD.
What then was Zechariah’s problem? why did he seek assurance from the angel of the LORD regarding that which had just been proclaimed to Him? He looked not to the word of the LORD but to his current state. He said, “I am an old man and my wife is well advanced in years.” You too could be saying, I am old who can marry an old woman like me, I don’t even have papers, who would hire someone like me? Who wants a sickly spouse, who can give birth at my age? Who can accept me the way I am? My prime years are gone, it can’t be! I have been home for too long. Doubt creates negative things like fear, worry, depression and anxiety.
Self-pity is the reason we choose to doubt instead of looking to the LORD from whence comes our victory. When you see yourself, you say, “Oh poor me, who will even bother to help me” This was Zechariah’s problem. To make sure he utters no more self-destructing confessions, the angel said, “But behold you will be mute and unable to speak until the day these things take place because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.” Luke 1:20
What’s is your decision? would you rather believe or be mute?
Here is your Prayer Path
Dear Father, I will look not to my current state but to your infallible word and promises. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Your Friend,
Pastor Mark. A. Odeke