Do You Struggle to Trust God?

You’ve prayed for God to answer your deepest desire, and it seems as if He hasn’t heard. Or, maybe He’s ignoring you. Or worse yet, He’s saying, “No.” But what if it isn’t His timing? Do you struggle to trust God then, or do you do something radical?

Zechariah, a Jewish priest in the time of Jesus, had longed for a child with his wife, Elizabeth. But they passed the age of childbearing when he experienced a once-in-a-lifetime privilege.

In the Temple, two sacrifices were made each day. It’s been said that there were 20,000 priests available to offer them back then. As the priests cast lots, the honor fell to him.

Put yourself in Zechariah’s sandals for a minute.

As he summoned up the courage to enter the Holy Place,
do you think he struggled to trust God?

Zechariah entering the Temple, no doubt struggling to trust God.

As If That Alone Wasn’t Intimidating,

Zechariah stepped into the room when an angel appeared before him. Just like today, this was no everyday occurrence! No one had heard from heaven in over 400 years.

But the angel had a message specifically for Zechariah. He said,

“Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son and you are to name him John.

His birth will bring you much joy and gladness.
Many will rejoice because of him,
and he will be one of the great ones in the sight of God.
He will drink no wine or strong drink,
but he will be filled with the Holy Spirit
even while still in his mother’s womb.

And he will persuade many in Israel to convert and turn back to the Lord their God.

He will go before the Lord as a forerunner,
with the same power and anointing as Elijah the prophet.
He will be instrumental in turning the hearts of the fathers
in tenderness back to their children and
the hearts of the disobedient back to the wisdom of their righteous fathers.

And he will prepare a united people who are ready for the Lord’s appearing.”
(Luke 1:13–17, TPT)

Names Were Significant Back Then.

They were often prophetic. Zechariah means, “God has remembered.”

In this passage, we see that, don’t we? We see God answering Zechariah’s request after all these years. He didn’t forget.

And if you’re struggling to trust God,
He hasn’t forgotten you,
even if your name isn’t Zechariah!

Elizabeth’s name means oath or covenant of God.

In the same way that God honored the meaning of Zechariah’s name in this story, He honored the meaning of Elizabeth’s name by promising them a child and fulfilling that promise even when it seemed impossible.

Click here if you’d like to read Elizabeth’s side of this story.

“How Do You Expect Me to Believe This?” (Luke 1:19, TPT)

That’s what Zacheriah said to the angel!

And it’s understandable, isn’t it, that he struggles to trust God after years of praying for a child that never came. I confess, I used to compare his reply to Mary’s childlike faith and her response to Gabriel,

“Yes! I will be a mother for the Lord!
As his servant, I accept whatever he has for me.
May everything you have told me come to pass.”
(Luke 1:38, TPT)

I judged Zechariah. But I’ve been there.

Where have you struggled to trust God?
Please don’t give up.
Your promise may be on its way!

Have You Ever Asked for a Sign?

That’s what Zechariah did next.

And here’s what the angel replied,

“Since you did not believe my words,
you will be stricken silent and unable to speak
until the day my words have been fulfilled at their appointed time
and a child is born to you.

That will be your sign!”
(Luke 1:20, TPT)

Zechariah asked for a sign, and he got one.

Have you ever gotten what you asked for
then regretted it?

Zechariah had Months to Think About What Happened.

First, he had to address the crowd waiting outside the temple. They waited for him to bless them, but he could no longer speak. Of course, that gave them something to wonder about. But Zechariah couldn’t explain it.

Then he went home to his Elizabeth. Can you imagine having something like this happen and not being able to talk about it?

Elizabeth hibernated during her pregnancy when Mary appeared. Zacheriah’s unborn child leapt in his wife’s womb–even he knew something was up! Then his wife burst into prophetic song,

“Mary! You are a woman given the highest favor
and privilege above all others,
for your child is destined to bring God great delight.

How did I deserve such a remarkable honor
to have the mother of my Lord come and visit me?

The moment you came in the door and greeted me,
my baby danced inside me with joy!

Great favor rests upon you,
for you have believed every word spoken to you
from the Lord.”
(Luke 1:42–45, TPT)

For three months, the women chatted about visits from angels, while they wondered and dreamt about the upcoming births of their babies. And all this time, Zechariah could only listen.

But without this sign he asked for,
of being stricken silent,
would he have heard?

Eight Days After John Was Born,

the whole village gathered to celebrate. The baby was circumcized as a sign of the covenant God made with the people through Abraham.

And of course, the village knew Elizabeth had been barren for years. And Zechariah hadn’t been able to talk, so he couldn’t yet explain what had happened to him in the temple.

But with all this going on, they could see God’s hand was on this child.

The Naming of the Prophet John.

Don’t forget, names were important. Everyone expected this child to be called Zechariah, after his father. But Elizabeth said,

“No, his name is John!”
(Luke 1:60, TPT)

“Whaaat???!”

The family, friends, and neighbors exclaimed and collectively turned toward Zechariah, who motioned for a writing tablet. And to everybody’s amazement, he confirmed,

“His name is John.”
(Luke 1:63, TPT)

Zechariah writing his answer on a tablet.

Have you ever had that happen?

Everyone assumed they knew what you would do.
But you took a radically different approach.

You followed God down a different path.

Instantly, Zechariah could speak again.

And instead of being mad at God for striking him silent, or doubting Him like he had when he asked for a sign, Zechariah could not stop praising Him!

No one had heard Zechariah speak for months, but now, he couldn’t hold back,

“And to you I prophesy, my little son,
you will be known as the prophet of the Most High.
You will be a forerunner,
going before the face of Lord Yahweh,
to prepare hearts to embrace his ways.

You will preach to his people the revelation of salvation,
the cancellation of all our sins,
to bring us back to God.

The splendor-light of heaven’s glorious sunrise
is about to break upon us in holy visitation,
all because the merciful heart of our God is so very tender.

The word from heaven
will come to us with dazzling light
to shine upon those who live in darkness,
near death’s dark shadow.

And he will illuminate the path that leads to the way of peace.”
(Luke 1:76-79, TPT)

Zechariah kissing his baby no longer struggling to trust God.

News Traveled Far

“The fear of God fell on the people of their village, and the news of this astounding event traveled throughout the hill country of Judea. Everyone was in awe over it!

All who heard this news were astonished and wondered,

‘Since a miracle brought his birth, what on earth will this child become?
Clearly, God’s presence is upon this child in a powerful way!’”
(Luke 1:65–66, TPT)

Out of obedience, Elizabeth and Zechariah gave their baby the prophetic name that God asked them to give him. And surely, John was a gift from God just as his name implies.

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Thank you, freebibleimages, so much for sharing your posts!

And thank you, Brian Simmons, for all the work you have been doing on the Passion translation. Not only are the verses quoted from there, but so is some of the information within the study notes.