A Necessary Exercise

Zacharias said to the angel, “How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.” Luke 1:18 (New American Standard Bible)

I am coming back to this verse today because I see an exercise Zacharias could have used to answer his own question. It is an exercise I am learning to incorporate into my own life and it is making a big impact on the way I face situations and difficulties that come my way.

I find it interesting how the stories of Zacharias and Abraham are so similar. Back in Genesis 17, the Lord appeared to Abraham and told him that his wife would bare a son. His response? He falls on his face, laughs, and says to himself, “Will a child be born to a man one hundred years old? And will Sarah , who is ninety years old, bear a child?” God’s response was an emphatic, “it WILL happen” and it did. As a matter of fact, Genesis 17 is a chapter that is full of the “I WILLs” of God. His Word was fulfilled even though Abraham and Zacharias stood in more unbelief than belief.

So here is the exercise Zacharias could have implemented. He could have gone back and reviewed this story of his ancestor, Abraham. It would have reminded him of how nothing is too hard, impossible, or out of reach for God. The exact thing God is promising to do for Zacharias was already done for Abraham.

Scripture is full of countless stories of ordinary people whose lives were forever changed by an extraordinary God. No matter what my own situation is, I can always ask God to bring back to my mind a similar story in Scripture that will help flame the fires of hope in me once again. As I review the stories of my ancestors I am also reviewing the character, ability, power, presence, and involvement of God. These stories come to life for me, empower me to step out on faith, and remind me that God is who He says He is and God can do what He says He can do!

Some of my favorite individuals I look to for encouragement are Joseph, Ruth, Esther, David, Moses, Paul, Isaiah, and Jesus. Their stories serve as reminders to me that God graciously forgives, abundantly provides, faithfully protects, consistently leads, has His hands and eye on me, and is without a doubt IN CONTROL of my life!

Father, You have not changed since the time that You interacted with people in Bible times. I rest in the fact that You are involved in my life as well. Amen.

I Am - Mark Shultz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hILaSh78yHQ

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.