Too Good to be True

A Series on Living in the Wilderness: Part 2
(Click on the link below to read the verses.)
Luke 1:5-25; 67-80

[This is Part 2 in a series of looking at people who lived in the wilderness. Not necessarily the wilderness of nature, but the wilderness of life. In fact, there are times when we all feel like we are living in the wilderness. During those times, it’s important to remember that the Lord is faithful. That He loves you and is always with you.]

My Dad used to say that if something sounded too good to be true, it probably was. On several occasions, my wife and I have attended travel presentations that promised “too good to be true” benefits. Every time resulted in unmet expectations.

 

The angel Gabriel promised Zechariah something that sounded too good to be true.

 

Zechariah’s wife Elizabeth was unable to have children. And, even though they are described as “righteous in the sight of God”, to be childless in their culture was a disgrace. You were thought to be out of God’s favor, possibly even due to sin. No doubt they felt disappointment at best; anger and shame at worse.

 

Zechariah was a member of the priestly order of Abijah. When it was his order’s turn to provide services at the temple, he was chosen by lot to burn incense in the Holy Place. It was here that Gabriel appeared to him and made these promises.

 

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... ¹⁵ for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. ¹⁶ And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. ¹⁷ He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord.                 NLT

 

Wow! It sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? That’s what Zechariah thought too. After all, they were not only childless, but very old. He doubted and questioned the angel’s authority and ability to make good on such amazing promises.

 

Keep in mind that Zechariah had been a priest his whole life. He knew all the rules and rituals inside and out. In fact, he was really good at obeying the Lord’s rules, but not so good at a personal relationship.

 

You’d think that being in the Holy Place, in the very presence of the Lord; that he would be receptive, if not expectant, to hear from the Lord. But he wasn’t.

 

Consequently, Gabriel made Zechariah mute until his son was born. As a result, he lived in a wilderness of silence for the next nine months. But even before that, Zechariah had been living in a wilderness of religious rules and rituals. He was spiritually dried up and lifeless from the daily routine and life’s unmet expectations.

 

Like Zechariah, there are times when I feel like I’m in a wilderness of religious routine; like the Lord doesn’t speak to me or isn’t working. Zechariah spoke these prophetic words in response to the birth of his son John. Words that are still true today.

 

⁶⁸ “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
    because he has visited and redeemed his people.
⁶⁹ He has sent us a mighty Savior
    from the royal line of his servant David,
⁷⁰ just as he promised
    through his holy prophets long ago.   NLT

It turns out that the Lord’s promises to Zechariah weren’t “too good to be true”. In fact, his promise to you and me of a personal Savior in Jesus who loves, forgives and is always with us… isn’t “too good to be true” either.

 

Copyright 2022 Joseph B Williams