With Great Expectation // A 4 Part Advent Series

Week 2 // Carrying Unbelief

Written by Keli Miller

Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years. ”The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.” Luke 1: 11-20

This was Zechariah’s moment. To be chosen to offer incense was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Zechariah must have thought carefully about what he was going to pray for. Reciting his prayer list over and over, careful not to forget a single item. 

This was not a time for personal prayer or reflection. He was praying for all of Israel. So when the angel appeared to him saying that his prayer had been heard, a baby was likely the last thing on his mind. 

Zechariah’s prayer for a child was probably a prayer that was long given up on. No longer did he believe God would do it. His time had passed, this prayer would not be an answered one. 

“Do not be afraid; your prayer has been heard.” 

God remembers the prayers we have given up on. 

Looking at his circumstances first and not who God is, Zechariah doubted the angel’s words. I wonder what he doubted most: Was he doubting that God would do what he said he would? Or was he doubting that God was actually able to do it and wanted to? Or maybe more than anything else, Zechariah doubted that God wanted to do it through him?

Zechariah would carry his doubt in silence out of the temple and back to his home where he and his wife would conceive a child. Even in his silence and doubt, Zechariah partnered with God. 

Zechariah’s doubt did not change God’s plan. God still answered his prayer, even in the presence of doubt. 

God holds true to his word, even when we wrestle with doubt. Doubts can often leave us feeling as imposters or frauds. But through Zechariah, God shows us that he is not challenged by our doubts. He is able to hold space for them, working through and around them. 

He is Immanuel.  The God with us, through the doubt. 

Reflection:

Zechariah was silenced for 9 months. For 9 months he wrestled with his own doubt. What is it that you are doubting? Are there prayers that you have given up on? God remembers them. 

Spend the next few moments reflecting on this with the Lord. 

Prayer:

God in the silence and unbelief your words hold true. When we lose faith, your promises remain. Just like a star guided shepherds through a dark night, we hold on to your word. A guiding light of faith when unbelief pulls at us. You are the Immanuel, the God with us through it all. Amen.