
How Zechariah’s Doubt Taught Me To Trust God’s Faithfulness
When the angel, Gabriel, announced to Zechariah that God has heard his prayers and would be fulfilling his desire for a child by granting him a son who would prepare the way for the long-awaited for Messiah, he did not respond in faith. He doubted what the angel was saying and that God would be able to use them because of their circumstances.
Instead of seeking to trust, Zechariah, a priest, a man of God, doubted what God was capable of doing.
While I would love to stand here and say that I would not doubt, that I would stand strong and believe in the promises of God, but my attitude often shows otherwise.
Doubt seeps into my mind and like Eve in the Garden and Zechariah in the Holy of Holies, I wonder if what God has promised is trustworthy. Because in the day to day struggles of life, it’s hard to see the good and perfect plan He is working out for my life.
God has given me His word, and but like Zechariah, I often doubt it with my actions, if not my words.
But Zechariah didn’t let his sin, doubt and His disbelief in God’s power, define him. He demonstrated faith in angel’s message and later shared that he trusted God’s fulfillment.
He declared before all Gabriel’s words about his son and God’s faithfulness.
And he continued by sharing that this Messiah would save His people by forgiving their sins.
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
to give knowledge of salvation to his people
in the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace. – Luke 1:76-69, ESV
Do I move forward, move on, from sin into a life of holy living or do I let the sin in my life define me? Zechariah sinned, but he moved on in repentance, and instead of doubting, boldly proclaimed what God could do.
Because what he was proclaiming was that God’s people would be free from their sin. Instead of being pulled away from Him, they would be drawn close once again.
Zechariah’s prayer shows us that God isn’t just working in his situation or my situation, He is working in all of Mankind throughout all of time.
Zechariah's prayer shows us that God isn’t just working in his situation or my situation, He is working in all of Mankind throughout all of time. Click To TweetAnd we are called to trust and to open our eyes, wider and wider, that we may marvel at God’s work throughout history. It is easy to become blinded by our circumstances, but Zechariah’s story and prayer show me, again and again, that our circumstances are only a dimly lit portion of the whole picture.
Now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. – 1 Corinthians 13:13, ESV
Instead of falling into the sin of unbelief, I need to fall on our knees in adoration of our God.
Because God’s faithfulness? It is displayed, not only in my own life, but in the lives of His people.
The prayer of Zechariah and his prophecy remind me to look to what God is doing, not just in my life and those around me, but throughout all of time. Because when I look at Scripture and see God’s faithfulness in redeeming His people from Egypt, in providing the prophets to tell us His ways, and in sending His Son as our Messiah, my own problems seem less impossible and more like a small portion of a larger picture.
Today, instead of doubting what God has said, I’m going to thank God for His faithfulness through the generations, both in my family’s history, my country’s history, and in the history of His people.
As I march through Advent towards the Baby in Bethlehem, I’m going to believe that God is in the business of restoring crushed relationships, healing hearts crushed by this sinful world, and working miracles that seem unattainable to our limited minds.
As I march through Advent towards the Baby in Bethlehem, I'm going to believe that God is in the business of restoring crushed relationships, healing hearts crushed by this sinful world, and working miracles that seem unattainable… Click To TweetAnd the restoration of a relationship that Zechariah prophesied? It was a miracle even more extravagant than a barren couple, well beyond child-bearing years, having a child. And only a few, short months later after Zechariah prophesied, that Savior breathed in the very air He created.
So today, I will trust, and I will pray. Instead of falling into the same sin patterns, I will turn in belief and trust in the Maker of the stars and the Keeper of time itself to work each and every moment of my life for my good and His glory.
The Comments
Carli
I love this post so much. We actually just talked about this same passage at church two Sundays ago. I am so guilty of just doubting instead of trusting in God’s faithfulness. And there is no excuse for it, other than I am just a fallible human.
Bailey
CarliI’m so grateful for passages like this to show me a) that doubting in God is wrong, b) that it is common, and c) how to move past it in praise.
Crystal Santoría
For some it’s easier to doubt than to trust God. It’s a struggle to trust with your whole heart but I’m doing it.
Bailey
Crystal SantoríaI’m so glad you’re committed to it. I find that it’s a daily struggle for me.
missyshq
Thank you for these reminders! I choose to believe and trust that He is in the midst of my adversity
Bailey
missyshqAmen! He always is.
Ingrid Rizzolo
We have to trust God and know he will always come through for us
Bailey
Ingrid RizzoloWe do. It’s so important to lean on Him and to remind ourselves of His faithfulness in the back.
Cayla
This is so good, Bailey. I love your heartfelt posts about our amazing God! I was recently praying and thanking the Lord for his faithfulness…He has been faithful time and time again, and always proves to be, no matter what challenges we may be facing.
Bailey
CaylaAmen! Thank you, Cayla!
tweilbacher714
This is exactly where I am lately! Thank you so much for sharing this! It is hard to believe when everything seems to be falling apart. When practically every part of your life comes crashing down around you, it’s hard to hold on to God’s promises. Even the priests like Zechariah had their moments where they doubted God’s faithfulness – doubted if God really had a plan for their life, amidst the brokenness. But He is faithful! Just like when the Israelites were trapped between the Egyptians and the Red Sea, God rescued them. He always makes a way!
Bailey
tweilbacher714It can be so hard but remembering His faithfulness is so, so helpful to keeping our spirits up.
Venessa
tweilbacher714I feel that same way. I have gone.so far as question His love for me.Even though I know His live when your life seems to always be falling apart you can’t help but question that’s the human side.i forgot that sometimes He has to take us through the wilderness in order for Him to have that intimate relationship with His child. I have to find myself constantly that He loves me regardless
Michelle Huddleston
I love how practical Bible stories really are. And I love how you shared about one struggle showing up as strength. Thanks for this! XO
Bailey
Michelle HuddlestonThanks, Michelle!
Hailey Rahm Photography
I haven’t read your post yet…but I WILL! But I have a silly question that I have been meaning to ask :). Where can I get one of your MUGS that say “Jesus, meet me here.” ??
Bailey
Hailey Rahm PhotographyIt is from The Daily Grace Co.! I love it!