Embracing Doubt
OPENING PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, as we begin this journey of exploring our doubts, we ask for Your presence to guide us. Help us to see our doubts not as barriers, but as pathways to a deeper faith. Amen.
While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.” Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.” Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.”
This passage introduces us to Zechariah, a priest who encounters the angel Gabriel in the temple. Despite the miraculous nature of this encounter, Zechariah's doubts about God's promise reveal a common human struggle with faith and uncertainty.
REFLECT:
Zechariah's story is a powerful reminder that even the most devout can experience doubt. As a priest, Zechariah was well-versed in the scriptures and the promises of God, yet when faced with a personal miracle, his immediate reaction was skepticism. This reflects a profound truth about human nature: our past experiences and unmet expectations often shape our capacity to believe in the miraculous. Zechariah and Elizabeth had longed for a child for many years, and their disappointment had likely hardened into a protective shell of doubt.
In our own lives, we may find ourselves in similar situations where past disappointments cloud our ability to trust in God's promises. The sermon reminds us that doubt is not a sin, but a natural part of the faith journey. It is an opportunity to lean into God, to seek understanding, and to grow. The key is not to let doubt drive us away from God, but to allow it to draw us closer to Him.
Zechariah's silence, imposed by Gabriel, can be seen as a period of reflection and growth. It was a time for him to witness God's faithfulness without the interference of his own words. In our lives, moments of silence and reflection can be powerful tools for spiritual growth. They allow us to step back, observe God's work, and realign our hearts with His will.
I WILL STATEMENT:
I will share my doubts with God and with another person this week.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for the gift of doubt that leads us to seek You more earnestly. Help us to embrace our uncertainties and find peace in Your promises. May our faith grow stronger as we trust in Your perfect plan. Amen.