December 7 No Worries

December 7

No Worries

Luke 1:18-20 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” 19 The angel answered, “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. 20 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 proper time.”

SO there you are. You are doing your daily work, going about your business. Then suddenly God’s Great Messenger Gabriel pops in to tell you, “Good news! Something impossible is about to happen to your life. And it’s all good! Rejoice God is doing an amazing act of salvation for the world through you!”

     How would you respond? Would you, like Zechariah, say, (translation mine) “Are you talking to me? You’re crazy, Mr. Angel! Nothing like that could happen to me. I’m an old priest with an old wife. That’s impossible.”

     I probably would that way. In fact I’m sure I have - hundreds of times. For example, I’ll say, “That’s impossible! I can’t be that person.” when I read Jesus’ words of promise in Matthew 6:33: “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.”  Instead of believing Jesus’ words, I often say to myself, “Who me? Not worry? How can this be? Certainly I need to worry. I need to be in control!” It’s a wonder God doesn’t strike my faithless tongue and make it silent as he did Zechariah. After all, if my tongue will not confess God’s wonders in my life, what good is my tongue?

     As we look at the Luke and Matthew Scriptures, we can see a similarity. In Gabriel’s “new baby” announcement and in Jesus’ “do not worry” teaching, God speaks to us with a great promise for our future. Zechariah’s and Elizabeth’s’ lives will take on new meaning. Their response to their future will bring glory to God as they proclaim what God has done. Then 30 years later, God will use their son to open the final door to the One, who is the future hope of all the world. Think about that!

     Salvation is impossible and cannot be a reality for our own tomorrows unless God does his miracles into the world and into our lives. Gabriel proclaims God’s actions to come, and God acts. Likewise Jesus promises our future is secure in him, and Jesus acted to the cross to make it so.

     Yes, believing that the Father has acted to save us through Jesus gives us rest. Faith puts our hearts into a place to be at rest because we believe in the future to come when Jesus reigns forever.

     What looks impossible in your life? Be at peace. Know that the Christ has come that your future may be secure with him as you confess his Lordship in your life.

     Remember this message from the Great Messenger: John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."

Prayer: Lord God, teach me to believe that all things, even release from worry and fear is possible with you. In the Savior’s precious name, amen.