June 1

Luke 1:1-25 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:

Journal Entry

Scripture

Scripture: Luke 1:5-8; 18-20

5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, [1] of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.

18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.”

Observation

Zechariah was a godly man whose heart was devoted to God and he undoubtedly had strong faith in God (1:6). Yet, he, too, like many of us struggled with doubt. Even as he spent countless hours before God in prayer, his doubt concerning the situation in his life continued to linger on (v18). In other words, his doubt followed his prayer. Doubt was like the shadow that followed Zechariah's prayer. Yet, God did not rebuke Zechariah for his doubt. Instead, God, in his grace, miraculously intervened and granted Zechariah and his wife what they had been praying for so faithfully even with a heart full of doubt due to human limitations. So, what's the point of this passage? There can be many, but here is one insight I am taking away from my encounter with word of God this morning. I must pray through my doubts no matter how grim my outlook might be for the time being for God is faithful and trustworthy. That doesn't mean that God will grant everything I pray for but I know God does not withhold anything that is good for His children--but at his own time (v20).

Application

In my time of prayer throughout this day, I will pray despite my doubts and through my doubts knowing that God is faithful and trustworthy.

Prayer

Abba, I thank you and praise you for your continued faithfulness despite my wavering faith in you. I must confess that my faith is weak and quite often I struggle with doubt even as I am praying for your intervention. So, Holy Spirit, would you guard my heart from doubts and help my unbelief? I want to be faithful to you as you have always been faithful to me. It is in Christ name I pray. Amen.

--KJ