HOW not TO STOP YOUR MIRACLE
By Rob Cresswell
The angel Gabriel showed Zechariah the priest ‘how NOT to stop his miracle’ in a very dramatic way, but first let’s look at some background…
When we know that God has spoken into our lives, whether by scripture, the ‘still small voice’ or a great neon sign on the wall, the toughest part is often in the timing of that promise. As the years roll by we may well begin to wonder, “When is it going to happen Lord? – “Perhaps I heard wrong”, or even, “This isn’t for me after all.”
If there’s one thing the stories of the Bible tell us it’s that God isn’t in a hurry, and He often plays the long game (from our point of view). In the scriptures people can get appointed for ministry in their old age, prophecies are packaged up in years, if not ages, and God often talks in terms of bringing his purposes about in generations rather than in an instant. Things can happen very quickly and dramatically once they arrive – they just take a long time coming!
Let’s be honest, often we can get a little tired waiting for those promises of God to happen. If we are ‘blessed’ with encouraging people around us this can be especially challenging. We can end up thinking, “The next person to tell me ‘my breakthrough is coming’ is going to get a punch on the nose!” Ever felt like that?
Doing all the right things
Luke chapter one tells us that Zechariah was a priest called to serve in the temple at Jerusalem. Both he and his wife Elizabeth were good, godly people:
“Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.” Luke 1:6 NIV
It is honour indeed to have this accolade recorded in the Bible. Being a good Hebrew priest was a lifetime of discipline, ritual, study and dedication to the scriptures. It was a life completely consumed with observation of laws; personal, social, and temple laws – twenty four hours a day, seven days a week three hundred and sixty five days a year.
However, Luke also says:
“But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.” Luke 1:7 NIV
So there is a contradiction here. Zechariah knows that the scriptures teach that children are a blessing from God (Psalm 127:3-5). They have no doubt prayed much of their lives for this blessing and may have even received personal signs and promises confirming so. However, ‘they were both very old’, and no doubt ‘expectation fatigue’ had set in and I suspect a certain acceptance that ‘it was never going to happen’.
There are times in our lives too that fit that description (literally or figuratively ‘waiting for the birth’). But, just like Zechariah and Elizabeth, after hope has all but gone, that is often when God shows himself to be faithful and strong – a God of miracles and not relying on natural logic or reason.
An Angelic Visitation
It just so happened on this occasion that Zechariah:
“was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.” Luke 1:9 NIV
And as the beautifully perfumed smoke begins to fill his senses the Arch Angel Gabriel appears before him – much to Zechariah’s shock and surprise:
”When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. Luke 1:12-15 NIV
Of all the angelic assignments this must rank as one of the most exciting; manifesting to righteous people and announcing the arrival of answered prayer and the fulfilment of Gods promises. The angels words are comforting and clear; they tell of a son and his name, of joy and delight and of greatness in Gods sight. But Zechariahs response is less than encouraging…
“Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”” Luke 1:18 NIV
Just think about this for a minute. Remember – he is a priest “righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.” He knows the scriptures (many of them off by heart), most of them about the God of miracles, and he is face to face with an archangel! He is a descendant of Abraham, the original ‘old age miracle child’ man!
And yet there is a personal disconnect and disbelief. Something had robbed Zechariah of expecting the reality of that divine power for himself. Perhaps like many believers he was ready to believe the God of miracles in the Bible but had given up on that ever being a reality ‘in these modern times’. Or was it that he was so unaccustomed to the supernatural that he simply couldn’t process what was happening; his flesh had no grid for this sudden divine invasion of his ordered world.
I’M GOING TO HAVE TO STOP YOU RIGHT THERE!
Whatever the reason for Zechariah’s doubting outburst Gabriel is obviously very concerned and quick to assert his credentials and authority:
”The angel said to him, “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. 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 appointed time.”“ Luke 1:19-20 NIV
So this is evidently ‘the way to stop your miracle’ and the Archangel was not about to let that happen. Effectively Gabriel says to Zechariah “OK, I’m going to have to STOP YOU THERE and just SHUT YOU UP right now! Because if I let you carry on with that disbelieving, supernatural-sapping talk you’re going to be in danger of derailing the whole miracle – and you’ve no idea how important that is right now!”
You see, just as God spoke the creation of the world into being (Genesis 1 & 2) He also brings his purposes about in the earth through his angelic and prophetic declarations:
“Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.” Isaiah 42:9
So here’s the thing. No matter how long we’ve waited. No matter how many ‘unanswered’ prayers we’ve prayed or breakthroughs that haven’t come – we mustn’t get so dejected that we miss our day of visitation. Or even worse, derail Gods miraculous interventions in our lives by talking ourselves right out of them!
Can we do this? Certainly we can do this. The words we speak have power for blessing or cursing (James 3:10), or for life and death (Proverbs 18:21). God knows our weakness, and in the case of Zechariah in his mercy the angel shut his mouth to limit the damage he might do.
When Aliss first told me that she was going to relaunch the Miracle Cafes two years ago I was less than encouraging. I can relate to Zechariah and his moment of disbelief! I said “Well, that will never work!” But thankfully, I was also wise enough to give her my blessing and let her run with her dream… releasing miracle encounters for thousands of people all over the world!
Sometimes one of the wisest sacrifices we can make is to simply shut up and be quiet. To not allow our insecurities and ‘human reasoning’ to turn into ‘Holy Spirit quenching speech’ but to let our words be few (Ecclesiastes 5:2). Our human desire to ‘help’ God with our words is rarely as helpful as we’d like to think!
There are bigger purposes
And so, in the course of time, Elizabeth begins to show the signs of pregnancy of a son who will be a mighty man of God and ‘make way for the saviour of the world’. We are obviously concerned with our personal circumstances but often there are much bigger things at play. We don’t have to know all that God is doing in the world but we must be humble enough to realise its not only about us!
After their son is born, it is only when Zechariah writes the child’s name on a tablet that he is released from his many months of muteness.
“He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God.” Luke 1:63-64 NIV
Writing down the promises of God to us is also a spiritually powerful exercise. It helps to both clarify and solidify what we believe he has spoken into our lives.
The name ‘John’ means ‘God is gracious’. He is a cousin of Jesus and becomes known as John the Baptist who would prepare the way of the Lord. His birth had been prophesied 700 years before (now that’s the long time!) by Isaiah the prophet:
“A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” Isaiah 40:3
But for Zechariah there could have been a second meaning – that God in his grace, would not allow him to abort the miracle child but humbled and preserved him until he was liberated to express the overdue praise and joy that Gabriel had expected nine months before.
“For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” Habakkuk 2:3
A Prayer
Lord, give me patience and the fortitude to not give up on the wonderful promises you have spoken into my life – no matter what age I am – too young, too old or too busy. Help me not exchange divine encounters for ritual, or to apply your words of promise and power to everyone and everything except myself.
Forgive me for giving up on your promises and help me to guard my heart and mouth against discouragement and doubt. Thank you for you patience with me and that you will fulfil all your promises and complete the good works which you have started in my life (Philippians 1:6).
I invite you Holy Spirit to manifest your presence in my life and home over this next season in a very special way. Amen.
About the Author: Rob Cresswell
The angel Gabriel showed Zechariah the priest ‘how NOT to stop his miracle’ in a very dramatic way, but first let’s look at some background…
When we know that God has spoken into our lives, whether by scripture, the ‘still small voice’ or a great neon sign on the wall, the toughest part is often in the timing of that promise. As the years roll by we may well begin to wonder, “When is it going to happen Lord? – “Perhaps I heard wrong”, or even, “This isn’t for me after all.”
If there’s one thing the stories of the Bible tell us it’s that God isn’t in a hurry, and He often plays the long game (from our point of view). In the scriptures people can get appointed for ministry in their old age, prophecies are packaged up in years, if not ages, and God often talks in terms of bringing his purposes about in generations rather than in an instant. Things can happen very quickly and dramatically once they arrive – they just take a long time coming!
Let’s be honest, often we can get a little tired waiting for those promises of God to happen. If we are ‘blessed’ with encouraging people around us this can be especially challenging. We can end up thinking, “The next person to tell me ‘my breakthrough is coming’ is going to get a punch on the nose!” Ever felt like that?
Doing all the right things
Luke chapter one tells us that Zechariah was a priest called to serve in the temple at Jerusalem. Both he and his wife Elizabeth were good, godly people:
“Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.” Luke 1:6 NIV
It is honour indeed to have this accolade recorded in the Bible. Being a good Hebrew priest was a lifetime of discipline, ritual, study and dedication to the scriptures. It was a life completely consumed with observation of laws; personal, social, and temple laws – twenty four hours a day, seven days a week three hundred and sixty five days a year.
However, Luke also says:
“But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.” Luke 1:7 NIV
So there is a contradiction here. Zechariah knows that the scriptures teach that children are a blessing from God (Psalm 127:3-5). They have no doubt prayed much of their lives for this blessing and may have even received personal signs and promises confirming so. However, ‘they were both very old’, and no doubt ‘expectation fatigue’ had set in and I suspect a certain acceptance that ‘it was never going to happen’.
There are times in our lives too that fit that description (literally or figuratively ‘waiting for the birth’). But, just like Zechariah and Elizabeth, after hope has all but gone, that is often when God shows himself to be faithful and strong – a God of miracles and not relying on natural logic or reason.
An Angelic Visitation
It just so happened on this occasion that Zechariah:
“was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.” Luke 1:9 NIV
And as the beautifully perfumed smoke begins to fill his senses the Arch Angel Gabriel appears before him – much to Zechariah’s shock and surprise:
”When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. Luke 1:12-15 NIV
Of all the angelic assignments this must rank as one of the most exciting; manifesting to righteous people and announcing the arrival of answered prayer and the fulfilment of Gods promises. The angels words are comforting and clear; they tell of a son and his name, of joy and delight and of greatness in Gods sight. But Zechariahs response is less than encouraging…
“Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”” Luke 1:18 NIV
Just think about this for a minute. Remember – he is a priest “righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.” He knows the scriptures (many of them off by heart), most of them about the God of miracles, and he is face to face with an archangel! He is a descendant of Abraham, the original ‘old age miracle child’ man!
And yet there is a personal disconnect and disbelief. Something had robbed Zechariah of expecting the reality of that divine power for himself. Perhaps like many believers he was ready to believe the God of miracles in the Bible but had given up on that ever being a reality ‘in these modern times’. Or was it that he was so unaccustomed to the supernatural that he simply couldn’t process what was happening; his flesh had no grid for this sudden divine invasion of his ordered world.
I’M GOING TO HAVE TO STOP YOU RIGHT THERE!
Whatever the reason for Zechariah’s doubting outburst Gabriel is obviously very concerned and quick to assert his credentials and authority:
”The angel said to him, “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. 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 appointed time.”“ Luke 1:19-20 NIV
So this is evidently ‘the way to stop your miracle’ and the Archangel was not about to let that happen. Effectively Gabriel says to Zechariah “OK, I’m going to have to STOP YOU THERE and just SHUT YOU UP right now! Because if I let you carry on with that disbelieving, supernatural-sapping talk you’re going to be in danger of derailing the whole miracle – and you’ve no idea how important that is right now!”
You see, just as God spoke the creation of the world into being (Genesis 1 & 2) He also brings his purposes about in the earth through his angelic and prophetic declarations:
“Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.” Isaiah 42:9
So here’s the thing. No matter how long we’ve waited. No matter how many ‘unanswered’ prayers we’ve prayed or breakthroughs that haven’t come – we mustn’t get so dejected that we miss our day of visitation. Or even worse, derail Gods miraculous interventions in our lives by talking ourselves right out of them!
Can we do this? Certainly we can do this. The words we speak have power for blessing or cursing (James 3:10), or for life and death (Proverbs 18:21). God knows our weakness, and in the case of Zechariah in his mercy the angel shut his mouth to limit the damage he might do.
When Aliss first told me that she was going to relaunch the Miracle Cafes two years ago I was less than encouraging. I can relate to Zechariah and his moment of disbelief! I said “Well, that will never work!” But thankfully, I was also wise enough to give her my blessing and let her run with her dream… releasing miracle encounters for thousands of people all over the world!
Sometimes one of the wisest sacrifices we can make is to simply shut up and be quiet. To not allow our insecurities and ‘human reasoning’ to turn into ‘Holy Spirit quenching speech’ but to let our words be few (Ecclesiastes 5:2). Our human desire to ‘help’ God with our words is rarely as helpful as we’d like to think!
There are bigger purposes
And so, in the course of time, Elizabeth begins to show the signs of pregnancy of a son who will be a mighty man of God and ‘make way for the saviour of the world’. We are obviously concerned with our personal circumstances but often there are much bigger things at play. We don’t have to know all that God is doing in the world but we must be humble enough to realise its not only about us!
After their son is born, it is only when Zechariah writes the child’s name on a tablet that he is released from his many months of muteness.
“He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God.” Luke 1:63-64 NIV
Writing down the promises of God to us is also a spiritually powerful exercise. It helps to both clarify and solidify what we believe he has spoken into our lives.
The name ‘John’ means ‘God is gracious’. He is a cousin of Jesus and becomes known as John the Baptist who would prepare the way of the Lord. His birth had been prophesied 700 years before (now that’s the long time!) by Isaiah the prophet:
“A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” Isaiah 40:3
But for Zechariah there could have been a second meaning – that God in his grace, would not allow him to abort the miracle child but humbled and preserved him until he was liberated to express the overdue praise and joy that Gabriel had expected nine months before.
“For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” Habakkuk 2:3
A Prayer
Lord, give me patience and the fortitude to not give up on the wonderful promises you have spoken into my life – no matter what age I am – too young, too old or too busy. Help me not exchange divine encounters for ritual, or to apply your words of promise and power to everyone and everything except myself.
Forgive me for giving up on your promises and help me to guard my heart and mouth against discouragement and doubt. Thank you for you patience with me and that you will fulfil all your promises and complete the good works which you have started in my life (Philippians 1:6).
I invite you Holy Spirit to manifest your presence in my life and home over this next season in a very special way. Amen.
About the Author: Rob Cresswell
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