(This devo is a continuation of my previous post, “How To Ask God a Question”)
In spite of Zechariah’s unbelief, God still kept His promise to him. Gabriel’s pronouncement to the elderly priest, even after his unabashed articulation of doubt, was “My words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time” (Luke 1:20b, NLT). Sure enough, around nine months later, Zechariah was holding a miracle baby in his previously empty arms. His very own son!
I find this extremely encouraging. Even when you and I fall short of trusting our loving Daddy as He deserves to be trusted, He never breaks His word. He always keeps His promises, whether we are full of faith as Mary was, or tossed to and fro by disbelief as Zechariah.
When fulfillment time came, aging Zechariah and teenage Mary suddenly had a whole lot in common. They both were overflowing with joy! Listen to the praise for God that burst forth from each one:
Exhibit A: “And Mary said, ‘He who is mighty has done great things for me… He has helped his servant Israel, remembering his mercy, as he promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.’” (Luke 1:46a, 49, 54-55, bold emphasis mine).
Exhibit B: “Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, ‘Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, because he has come to help… He has done this to show mercy to our ancestors, and to remember his holy covenant – the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham” (Luke 1:67-73, NET, bold emphasis mine).
Again, these passages are just a few verses apart. The parallelism continues. The contrast in Zechariah and Mary’s stories serves to illustrate God’s expansive, unconditional faithfulness. In the end, whether or not we have fully believed God’s word to us, He always brings it to fulfillment!
Doubting Zechariah and trusting Mary both learned, firsthand, that the Mighty One is a covenant-keeping God. He never forgets a promise He makes. Ever. This is one of the most essential themes running through the Christmas story. The eternal Word of the Father stepped out of heaven and into human skin, to fulfill His covenant oath to His children. God swore, and God delivered. This is how it goes with our God, because this is who He is.
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Is there ever an instance where our own failings or weaknesses could cause God’s promises not to come to pass, if our hearts are truly after Him?
Feeding On Jesus 
I would say no, if indeed our hearts are truly with Him. What we do sometimes is lose patience, forgetting that God will do things in His own time, as you have pointed out. Sometimes the hardest four words in the English language are “Thy will be done.” Not mine, but His. Happy Christmas, friend– Mike
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That sure is the truth! I’m so grateful, though, that the longer we walk with Him, the more our desires conform to His 🙂
A beautiful, Merry Christmas full of His presence to you and your family, Mike!
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So true indeed. Also, this is what I read today “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this,to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
John 15:12-13”
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That is absolutely beautiful, Piyush. And most definitely the essence of Christmas! Jesus came into the world to do exactly that.
It’s wonderful to hear from you! The richest of blessings to you this Advent 🙂
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You’re very kind Jennifer! I wish you too the best of time and a very productive year ahead. Happy Holidays😊
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Thank you so much, Piyush! I receive those wishes gratefully 🙂 🙂
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That’s a wonderful question Jennifer. Scripture teaches and Holy Spirit reminds that Father God is always faithful. What He promises will come to pass! However, I/we can get ourselves messed up on this topic, usually because we have allowed a distraction or even worse, a blatant sin, to take our focus off God and onto ourselves. When I look at myself like this, I allow the feelings of not be worthy to creep in and foul thoughts like, ‘I don’t deserve what God wants to give’ to come into my mind.
The solution is of course to stay rightly aligned with the Father at all times and when I do mess up, to be quick to run to Him to ask forgiveness and for a fresh willingness to remain lovingly obedient. Praise God for His faithfulness! He will always answer that request.
Blessings,
Chuck
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That is such beautiful, wonderful truth, Chuck! I am deeply grateful for His faithfulness, His willingness, and His empowering! I read a statement in a book by Mark Virkler that stuck out to me and has stayed with me. He said that many Christians’ problem is not actually sinning, but a lack of quick repentance. In other words, Jesus has provided a solution for when we stumble, but it only works if we make a practice of quickly recognizing when we have done so, and run to Him to receive His forgiveness, cleansing and empowering!
Thank you so much for sharing your insights, my brother. 🙂 Hope you have a most beautiful, Merry Christmas!
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