“The angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years” (Luke 1:13, 18).
Two questions are asked of the angel Gabriel in Luke 1. Tomorrow we will briefly think about Mary’s question, “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” (1:34). Today we come to the question of dear Zacharias. In his priestly duties, it came to be his turn to burn the incense in the temple (1:9). Suddenly the angel Gabriel appeared to him (1:11). Gabriel actually made ten statements after telling him not to be afraid. The angel’s statements are very direct, clear, personal, and powerful. Then came the question that was filled with doubt. Oh, the human nature is clearly seen for what it is. Here is a veteran servant of the Lord, ministering in the temple, visited by an angel, receiving a direct message from God, and he doubted. This is not to be hard on Zacharias. It is only to remind me that as an old man who has served his whole adult life, I still must be on guard because doubt and disbelief can pop up at any moment.
Today: How does this affect you in your walk with the Lord and service to Him? Be on guard for doubt.