I Bring You Good News of Great JoySample

Zechariah doubted the angel’s words

“And Zechariah said to the angel, ‘How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.’” (Luke 1:18)

When Zechariah suddenly saw an angel standing there, “he was troubled [...] and fear fell upon him.” That was a very understandable reaction. However, the angel reassured him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard...”

Then, the angel told Zechariah that he and his wife would have a son. That was great news! But Zechariah questioned the angel's words. This seemed too good to be true. After all, Elizabeth was already far too old to get pregnant.

Zechariah's doubt is understandable but not good.

Centuries earlier, Sara did the same thing. She, too, was already very old. Therefore, when the Lord God announced that she would have a son, she laughed. Rebukingly, God asked her, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14).

The angel also reproachfully responded to Zechariah's unbelief: “Behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words.” Everything happened exactly as the angel had said. Elizabeth became pregnant, John was born, and only then was Zechariah able to speak again. The first thing he did then was ... sing a song of praise to God!

Do you understand Zechariah's reaction? Are there any promises of God that you have doubts about? How do you deal with them?