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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)
I have a hard time blaming Zechariah for his reaction. I mean, here he is, an old man, who has been praying for a son for most of his life. I wouldn’t be surprised if that prayer has turned into something automatic by now—something the asker no longer really expects God to take seriously, because it’s just been too long.
But God does take Zechariah’s prayer seriously. He tells him it’s happening now, this very year. And Zechariah—well, I can’t help wondering if he really wants this gift by now! Maybe he is suddenly thinking of screaming babies, and broken nights, and the endless tasks involved in raising a child! After all, he isn’t young anymore.
I’m glad God is patient and has a sense of humor—not just with Zechariah but with us. Because we, too, have our moments when God answers us and shatters our cozy little world, and we just can’t cope. Even when it’s something good, something we’ve been begging for—suddenly we see all the downsides, and well, we fail to rise to the occasion.
Thank God He knows we are like that, and He loves us anyway. God doesn’t give up on Zechariah, or take away the gift He’s promised him. And He doesn’t give up on us either. How could He—the One who died and rose to make us His own dearly beloved family?
WE PRAY: Lord, thank You that You’re patient with me when You do something new in my life, and I pull back in fear and doubt. Help me to trust You! Amen.
Reflection Questions:
- Do you think you’d want a baby at, say, age 70?
- Why or why not?
- When has God surprised you in your own life?
Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
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