When our faith is stretched, it is both exciting and scary at the same time. Has there been a time when you realized the Lord was stretching your faith? How did that affect you? How did that change your faith life? I remember a Russian mission trip that stretched my dependence on God. During this time of having my faith tested, I had to learn to depend on God more significantly than ever before.
Zechariah’s Faith was Stretched when He Encountered an Angel
Zechariah was going about his priestly duties in the Temple and had no idea the Lord would stretch his faith. Luke 1:13 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…
18 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.”
19 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! 20 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.” [1]
Luke 1:6 tells us that Zechariah was righteous in God’s eyes, yet he still struggled when the angel told him he would have a son in his old age. If we are honest, we all struggle when God takes us out of our comfort zone.
We Need to Trust God When Our Faith is Stretched
From Zechariah’s human perspective, his doubts were understandable—but with God, anything is possible. Although Zechariah and Elizabeth were past the age of childbearing, God gave them a child. It is easy to doubt or misunderstand what God wants to do in our lives. Even God’s people sometimes make the mistake of trusting their intellect or experience rather than God. When tempted to think that one of God’s promises is impossible, remember His work throughout history. A narrow perspective or human limitations do not confine God’s power. Trust him completely.[2]
The Stretching of My Faith Helps It Mature
When I do new things the Lord has for me, it helps me mature in my faith. Later, we can look back and see how the Lord worked as we are stretched. When God presents us with another opportunity, we can be confident that the Lord will be with us and guide us. We also learn that when stretched in the faith, we must grow in dependence on God. Throughout our lives, the Lord is continually calling us into deeper water to fulfill the plans He has for us.
To hear what happens when our faith is stretched, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/fulfilled-john-the-baptist
[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Lk 1:13, 18–20). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] Barton, B. B., Veerman, D., Taylor, L. C., & Osborne, G. R. (1997). Luke (p. 15). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.