Zechariah Doubted

Zechariah had a problem, he was elderly and his wife Elizabeth was elderly, yet the angel Gabriel was telling him Elizabeth would have a baby. He was a righteous man, a Godly man, but when Gabriel spoke—Zechariah doubted.

You can hardly blame him. Sure he had the example of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, as well as Elkanah and Hannah, but this was a little too close to home. It seems so different when WE are faced with trials. I don’t blame Zechariah, but the angel did.

Doubt is natural, but it must at some point yield to faith.Doubt is understandable, but it is nonetheless dangerous, “…because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” You may not be sure, that is understandable, but if the one who promised is able (and He is) and His promises are true (and they are) then put aside doubt . As James wrote, doubt is like the wind. If you cannot keep the wind out, at least, let it pass. Do not allow it to fill your sail and press you towards faithlessness.

Zechariah’s question was more than doubt however. He was really asking, “How do I know what you have said is true?” He was wondering if Gabriel might be lying, if the one who stands in the presence of God was pulling his leg, if the one who had come with good news was not on the up-and-up. So Zechariah was punished.

Be careful that in your doubt you are not calling God a liar. Has He promised? not have you imagined, but has He promised? There are lying angels, but has the promised been confirmed by solid examination of God’s word? Have you sought the counsel of Godly Christians? If it is God speaking, if it is His promise, you can believe without doubting. You must weather the storm, allow the wind to pass and stand firm in your faith—without doubting.

Gen. 18, Gen. 25, 1Sam. 1, Luke 1, Eph. 6:14, Heb. 6:18, Heb. 10:23, Heb. 11:1, James 1:6