Trust and Believe

From an Africa Study Bible application note:

Very few people are described as “righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commands and regulations” (Luke 1:6). Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth had such an honour. Yet, when the angel of the Lord told Zechariah that his prayer for a child had been answered, the priest immediately gave logical reasons for why it was impossible. In contrast, his wife Elizabeth’s response was, “How kind the Lord is! . . . He has taken away my disgrace of having no children” (Luke 1:25), even though she was “unable to conceive” and “very old” (Luke 1:7). 

Zechariah typifies many of us. We fast and pray, believing in God’s ability to answer our prayers. At the same time, we harbour doubt that God can really answer us. We have both trust and doubt. This story strengthens our faith that God is capable of overcoming obstacles, even a biological clock. Let us not limit God’s ability to answer prayer. Drive out doubt and wholly trust God.

Today: 

What is something that you have been hoping or praying for? Examine whether you genuinely believe God is able and willing to answer you. To strengthen your faith, remind yourself of examples where he has been faithful to you or others in the past, and ask again.