My, Devotion to Him #65
This devotional is going to be in connection with the last one however it’s also going to be different. In the devotional titled “Expect The Unexpected” we seen how Zachariah had prayed for something for a long time and remained faithful in serving the Lord and then once the Lord answered him, Zachariah questioned God and asked “how could this be” this was because Zachariah and his wife were up in age. We talked about expecting our prayers to be answered and when they are answered we shouldn’t question God. We should not pray for something we doubt will ever come about.
Now, one thing that is interesting from the story of Zachariah’s encounter with the Angel Gabriel is his response and the result of him questioning. But why is this interesting?
VERSE PASSAGE: Luke 1:34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” – NIV
VERSE PASSAGE: Luke 1:35 “The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” – NIV
Now if we look at this we see that Mary and Zachariah has similar responses to the news of pregnancy. However, the response and result that was given to them from the Angel was different.
1. Mary and Zachariah asked how these miracles would occur.
2. It is evident that Mary was asking “how” in faith while Zachariah was asking “how” in unbelief.
3. It is a clear Bible teaching that unbelief doesn’t please God as seen in Hebrews 11:6. But the Lord doesn’t mind us questioning Him for the purpose of instruction so we can cooperate with His will in our lives.
Another event like this is Abram. See Abram knew that it was God’s will for him to have a son but Abram and Sarai came up with their own plan which caused them and the world much grief as seen in Genesis 16:1-6. One thing we can see is Abram would have avoided many problems if he would have just asked the Lord how He was going to accomplish this miraculous event. Instead Abram thought he had to make this plan come about on his own terms. We cause ourself so much problems in life when we decide that we have to make God’s plan come about instead of submitting to God and letting God’s perfect plan unfold as He deems it so.
See if Mary had not questioned this angel, she might have reasoned that Jesus would be born through the natural union of her and Joseph. Just like Abram decided to make God’s plan come about on man’s terms. This would have been a grave mistake. It would have disqualified her from being used by God the Father.
Some people think it’s simply not enough just to know God’s will. If you are uncertain about things or God’s plan for your life or how something is going to get accomplished. Go to God in prayer and seek His Council. Seek His great wisdom. Let Him bring peace and clarity
Don’t ask God how this could be but how this will be. God will unveil clarity of His plan for you. However, He does not approve when we question how He can answer a prayer. Or how His will could be done because of this or that.
Related Devotion by order:
Ask How Will Not How Could
Copyright © 2017 by Jacob D. Olinger
Spirit Warrior Ministry 