Friday, December 13, 2024

Paying Attention

December 13, 2024

 We have to pay attention to the details if we’re to get it right. In Luke 1, we have two similar but very different responses to Gabriel’s announcements.

“Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.” —Luke 1:18


Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” —Luke 1:18, 34 


“What’s the difference,” you say? Plenty. Zechariah was questioning the power of God. Mary was only questioning the process. Zechariah didn’t believe God could do this; Mary couldn’t understand how God would do it. The language is similar, but the meaning could hardly be more different.


When you’re praying for something, asking God how he plans to accomplish his plans is OK. Questioning his ability to carry them out is not. The first is curiosity. The second is unbelief. God loves curious people; he isn’t so fond of unbelief. If you’re unsure in which category your questions lie, simply ask yourself if you’re questioning the what or the how

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