A "DOUBLE-TAKE" ?

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DECEMBER 5, 2023


Luke 1:13-15a, 16a, 17b

But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord. ... And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, ... to make ready for the Lord a people prepared."


"Don't be afraid, because your prayer has been heard!" My mind has me wondering if Zechariah's first reaction to this announcement might have been. "Yikes, do I really want this after all?" Because that can happen, can't it? I mean we pray so long for something that it becomes a routine, and when God suddenly says yes, you do a double-take and wonder if you really want to raise a baby in old age.

God knows and understands we have those moments, and doesn’t turn away from us. The angel goes right on with the message while Zechariah gets his thoughts together. Then, nine months later, heart and soul and mind has grasped the revelation and Zechariah rejoices: ""Blessed be the Lord God of Israel!" (Luke 1:68a)

Are you experiencing a blessing that has its scary side? If so, you can trust in God to carry you through it, second thoughts and all. Jesus came into the world to save all of us, the enthusiastic and reluctant alike. Jesus’ desire for you and me is what carried Him through suffering, death, and resurrection, and He will bring us home, just as He promised.

 Amen

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