The Scriptures show what we’ve discovered: God keeps his promises
By Dean Collins
Over and over and over again we discover that God keeps his promises. Not just some of them but all of them. And God delivers on his promises regardless of whether we believe them.
Announcements, questions
Zechariah saw the angel Gabriel while he was lighting the incense in the temple. The angel revealed that his prayers concerning having a son had been answered. We don’t know if Zechariah had prayed for a son in his youth, as an old man, or both. Zechariah wanted more evidence than simply accepting the word of the angel. On one hand, we might wonder how Zechariah had doubts after seeing and speaking with an angel! But then we should consider that we have been given promises from Scripture we believe is trustworthy and inspired by the Holy Spirit; yet we often want more evidence as well.
Mary was also visited by the angel Gabriel. Like Zechariah, she also asked a question. But unlike Zechariah, she wasn’t silenced. Her question seemed to be more innocence and humility while Zechariah’s question appeared to be doubt.
Zechariah was also a priest who would have been well aware of the story of Abraham and Sarah as well as the story of Hannah. Yet even with his knowledge, when he was given the word of an angel he desired more evidence.
Prophets, promises
Through the prophets God made many promises of things to come. Consider the prophecy from Jeremiah before the impending destruction of Jerusalem. Even as Jeremiah told of destruction and exile, he also gave the promise of hope rising from the line of David. It was a promise that seemed impossible in light of David’s throne being interrupted by the destruction of Jerusalem and the years of exile that were starting.
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’“
In the opening chapter of Luke’s Gospel, we discover that Zechariah’s and Elizabeth’s son would prepare the way for the coming Messiah who would be born of the virgin Mary. Hundreds of years after Jeremiah’s prophecy was given, God delivered on his promise.
Timetable, struggle
We often struggle with God’s timetable. Our desire leans toward the immediate, while God’s timing proves to be always right and ultimately both perfect and beautiful. Solomon said it this way:
”He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.“
Even today God is working and will fulfill all of his promises to us. As we continue our journey of faith, we will certainly have questions. It is okay for us to want to know more. But maybe our focus needs to be less about how and when things work out and more about how God’s glory might be revealed through our faith and trust in Him.
Father, we confess that we want to know how and when you will answer our prayers. Increase our faith that we might fully trust that your timing is perfect and that you will fulfill your perfect will in us as we surrender to you daily. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your time with God’s Word
Luke 1:18-38, 43-45, 57-80; Jeremiah 33:1-11, 14-16; Ecclesiastes 3:11 ESV
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash
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