Do you ever find yourself struggling to trust in God’s promises?  If so you are in good company.  Many of the heroes of our faith have had moments of doubt.  Abraham, Moses, Gideon, Elijah, the list could go on   There is an interesting story about a priest who would have taught others about God always coming through despite our doubts and he struggled as well.  Let’s look at the story of Zechariah found in Luke 1 together today.

 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old. 8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” 19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”

Zechariah would have taught others about God providing a child for Abraham and Sarah in their old age yet when it came to his own hopes and dreams and prayers being answered he had his doubts.  God doesn’t always give us everything that we want but He does give us what we need and He always comes through on His promises to us.  Today pray for the thing that you are struggling to trust God for.  Watch and see how He comes through.  It will always be for your ultimate best.

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave