Have you ever wondered how to receive all the blessings God has for you? God’s word has promises sprinkled throughout for all of us, but we have to seek out those promises as we would a buried treasure. When we do find those treasures, we have to choose what we will do with them. Will we doubt they are really ours or will we receive them with gladness? When we look at the angel Gabriel, he came and spoke both to Zacharias and to Mary, yet they received his words differently.
Questioning Blessings with Doubt
Zacharias received the words and questioned, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.” [Luke 1:18 NKJV] At first this seems as if it is a logical question, in fact in Genesis 17:17 Abraham asks a similar question, “Shall [a child] be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear [a child]?” There words and response seem similar, but God also knows our heart.
The angel Gabriel knew the heart of Zacharias. In Luke 1:19-20 Gabriel responds, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. “But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.” Gabriel states that Zacharias did not believe the words that were spoken but from the eyes of the onlooker it may appear as if all he did was ask a logical question, just like Abraham.
In Hebrews 11 both Abraham and Sarah are recognized for their faith in the Lord so even when they questioned God, the heart still trusted and had faith in His promises. It is important to understand that it is ok to question and clarify, but what really matters is our heart and do we trust that God’s word is true.
Questioning Blessings with Faith
Gabriel after appearing to Zacharias later appears to Mary. Yet again she questions, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” [Luke 1:34 NKJV] This too seems a reasonable question to ask. How can this be? Have you ever asked, how can this happen in regard to your situation. How are these promises going to be fulfilled, how can I have what God has spoken when everything all around me seems contrary to that happening.
“And the angel answered and said to her, “[The] Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. “Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. “For with God nothing will be impossible.” [Luke 1:35-37 NKJV]
“For with God nothing will be impossible.” Say that out loud to yourself right now because I believe the Lord wants us to know this truth today. “For with God nothing will be impossible.” He is the God of the impossible. He is a way maker, promise keeper. He is the God who parted the sea, gave mana from heaven to eat, made water come from a stone. Nothing is too big or impossible for our God.
What’s in Your Heart?
God knows our heart. If you have any doubt in your heart, I pray that you would be quiet and not voice your doubt. Thankfully the angel shut Zacharias’ mouth for him. The priest did not have the ability to uproot the seed, the words that had been implanted in him. You and I have a choice to speak words like Mary, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” [Luke 1:38 ESV]
Our words have power. Proverbs 18:21 states, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” Jesus warns us of our words, “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” [Matt 12:36-37 ESV]
I encourage you to have a heart like Mary that says, ‘let it be to me according to your word.” “For all the promises of God in Him [are] Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” [2 Cor. 1:20 NKJV] It is through us that we must receive these promises. If you have been struggling to receive, I would encourage you to pray and ask God what is hindering you from receiving. He is faithful and will reveal to those who ask. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. [Matt 7:7 NKJV] God is true to His word. I pray you would have a heart to receive today all that He has for you.