How can I be sure of this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “I am an old man, and my wife is

well along in years.” (Luke 1:18)

Zechariah had been administering the Offering of Incense when an angel of the Lord appeared

beside him. It’s likely that Zechariah had talked with others about their experience in performing

this same duty, but no one had mentioned anything like this. Zechariah reacted as all of us

would when confronted with an angel from the presence of God – he fell down in fear.

The angels’ response to Zechariah’s fear is “Do not be afraid.” The fear Zechariah experienced

wasn’t an issue, but the doubt that followed his fear had consequences. In this moment,

Zechariah measured what was possible based on his circumstances, not based on the word of

God delivered by the angel.

“I am Gabriel,” replied the angel. “I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to

speak to you and to bring you this good news. And now you will be silent and unable to

speak until the day this comes to pass, because you did not believe my words, which will

be fulfilled at their proper time.” (Luke 1:19-20)

Imagine with me for a moment how the conversation might have gone when Elizabeth asked

Zechariah how his day went. Talk about a story to tell. He’d had the once in a lifetime

opportunity to offer the Incense, and the angel appeared and said they were going to have a

son. But now, as a result of his doubt, Zechariah was unable to speak until all these things were

fulfilled.

If you’ve ever experienced genuine fear, you know that doubt lurks in the shadow of fear. In the

midst of fear, God still says to you and me “don’t be afraid.” Pray, even when you struggle to

find the words, and surround yourself with an army who will pray for you.

The experience of real fear came for me this year in the form of a near fatal medical crisis. In

the aftermath of that experience, there is a song by We are Messengers that has become a

particular favorite of mine. I’ll end with a part of that lyric that I think captures the way we should

respond to fear and doubt. “When my heart can’t find the beat; When it’s dark and I can’t see; I

will put my hope in You.”

By Jesse Smith

Your Daily Missions Moment:

Our missions offering and our regular giving through the Cooperative Program support missionaries all over the world. Please pray for these international missionaries:

Many of our missionaries are serving in places where it is illegal  to talk about Christianity and their security is important. Please do no post any of their names or locations on the internet!

Joel and Beth, Central Asia

Drake and Haley, Middle East and North Africa

Carol Spears, Kenya