What Jesus Did! 'How Can I Know?' — Luke 1:18-20

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Zechariah said to the angel, "How can I know that what you say is true? I am an old man, and my wife is also old." The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel. I always stand ready before God. God sent me to talk to you and to tell you this good news. Now, listen! You will not be able to talk until the day when these things happen. You will lose your speech. Why? Because you did not believe what I told you. But these things will really happen."
— Luke 1:18-20 NLT
Illustration of Luke 1:18-20 NLT — "How can I know that what you say is true? I am an old man, and my wife is also old."

Key Thought

I'd like to think that I would not have doubted, but I know differently. Even with his years of faithfulness, the experiences and goodness God poured out upon Zechariah this day were simply too much to comprehend. Zechariah greeted the promise of heaven with less than complete trust. He wanted more proof. Our human doubt, even on our best of days, helps us understand his desire for proof. Let's be thankful that God didn't take away his grace, his gifts, or his promises simply because Zechariah couldn't quite trust the bewildering promise he was given. Most importantly, let's use Zechariah's experience to remind us that God keeps his promises to us even when they are more than we can fully comprehend.

Today's Prayer

Father, I come before you with hushed silence, in awe at your faithfulness. I bring to you the best of my faith and ask you to help my belief to be stronger still. I thank you for your many great promises—forgiveness, the Holy Spirit, the return of Jesus for me—and I commit to live my life trusting in those promises. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Acts 1:6-11
  • John 14:1-3
  • Acts 2:36-42

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did is a one-year devotional guide through the gospels, using one short passage each day and following the Gospel in consecutive order. Each devotional consists of a passage, reflection and a prayer which opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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