But Is it for Me?
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Straight to the Cross
GUEST ARTICLE
But Is it for Me?
by Stan Mitchell
He was a righteous man, and a priest. No doubt, he
had read many times the story of the aged Abraham,
and God's promise of a son. He must have thrilled
at the angel's question, "Is anything too hard for
the Lord?" (Genesis 18:14). He may have wept
silently at the ancient account of Isaac's birth,
for he understood only too well Abraham's deepest
longing.
Abraham had wanted a son more than life itself,
and the God of heaven, who loves His people and
keeps His promises, gave him a son. No doubt, the
priest had also read the story of Hannah's prayer
for a son. She had cried the tears of the
desperately lonely, and had promised that, if
given a son, she would dedicate him to God. He may
have smiled when he read that Eli had told her,
"Go in peace; the God of Israel grant you the
petition you have made to him" (1 Samuel 1:17). Of
course Hannah's prayer was granted, for God is a
God who kept His promises, and loves His children.
In those long ago days He led and loved and
blessed His people.
But perhaps the priest wondered: Does God guide
and love His people still? Does He still answer
prayer? Might the Lord of heaven, even on that
day, answer His deepest longing for a son?
"Do not be afraid," the angel had said, "Your
prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will
bear you a son, and you are to give him the name
John" (Luke 1:13).
Zechariah believed that God had answered Abraham's
prayer, and Hannah's, too. But he just could not
believe that God wished to bless him with a child.
Could God's blessings be for him, too?
Zechariah had nine months to think the matter
over. God struck him dumb for his lack of faith.
Which brings up an important question. If every
Christian who failed to believe God's promises
today were struck dumb...how many of us could say
"hello" this morning?
Thanks to The Voice of Truth International, Vol.
36, pg. 79.
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