IF YOU TALK WITH AN ANGEL
LUKE 1:18, 34, 38 NKJV
18 And Zacharias said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years."
34 Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?"
38 Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.
Chances are strong that you and I will live our entire lives and never speak with an angel. Oh, they are there alright, but face-to-face encounters are rare. But if you do happen to visit with one, here is a good guideline of what to do and what not to do.
When the angel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias, he gave many reasons for Zacharias to believe his words.
He, the angel Gabriel, referenced the prayers of Zacharias and his wife, Elizabeth. They had been praying for years about having a baby.
The baby, John the Baptist, would be great in the sight of the Lord. Indicating the child had a divine purpose. Certainly, this baby would make Zacharias and Elizabeth happy, but the purpose was bigger than their personal satisfaction.
And the angel quoted scripture, prophetic scripture from the book of Malachi about the forerunner of the Messiah. Zacharias was a priest and was well versed in scripture.
The angel was legit. But Zacharias asked the wrong question. How do I know you are telling me the truth? Not thank you, praise God we are having a baby boy. Zacharias could have responded much differently. He had a scriptural precedent. Abraham and Sarah had a baby in their old age. He had more reasons to rejoice than to doubt.
Contrast Zacharias' response with Mary who spoke with the same angel.
Mary's question regarding having a baby was how will this happen, not is this going to happen? When Gabriel explained the Holy Spirit would be involved, and nothing was impossible with God, Mary gave a great response. I'm God's servant. Let it be to me according to your word.
APPLICATION:
We don't have to speak with an angel to respond correctly to God's word.
There are times when we read promises or statements that seem far out of our reach. Instead of doubting the truth of God's word, a better posture would be to adopt Mary's mindset.
Let it be to me, Lord, according to Your word. What You tell me in Your word and by Your Holy Spirit, I believe. And I don't have to understand every detail.
PRAYER:
Thank You, Lord, for Your word. I believe it. Let it be in my life according to what You say.