Luke 1:18-25: When God Speaks, Trust Him

June 10, 2026

The Ten Signposts of the Bible
CAMDE—400—CALY
Creation. Abraham. Moses. David. Elijah. 400. Christ. Apostles. Letters. Yet-to-Come.

I am always amazed at how God prepares us for the next step in our journey. He uses today's challenges and experiences to mold us into the person he needs us to be tomorrow. We can be confident that God never wastes our time. 

God's sovereign plan unfolds on a macro level as well. When the time was right for Jesus to take on flesh, God sent one to prepare the way for his Son. 

Last time we followed the priest Zechariah into the temple, where he burned incense and offered prayers on behalf of the people of Israel. Suddenly, an angel appeared and announced that Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, would have a son who would "turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God" (Lk. 1:16). There was just one problem—and it was a significant one: Elizabeth was unable to have children, and both she and Zechariah were well past the childbearing ages. That is where we begin in today's passage. 

Zechariah was a godly man, but the promise of a son in his old age seemed impossible—even for him to believe. He asked the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years" (Lk. 1:18). The angel did not hesitate in his answer: "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news" (Lk. 1:19). 

There are only two angels named in the Bible–Gabriel and Michael. Michael is the warrior angel.^[1] In Revelation 12, Michael and his angels fight against Satan. Gabriel, whose name means "God's strong man," stands in "the presence of God" serving as the Lord's messenger angel. He carried God's message to Daniel and now to Zechariah. Soon he will appear to Mary as well. 

Because Zechariah did not believe the Lord's word given through Gabriel, he was unable to speak until the promised son was born. His loss of speech was certainly a consequence of his unbelief. However, I believe it also served as a gracious sign. If Gabriel's words proved true in causing Zechariah's silence, then surely his words about Elizabeth conceiving would also prove true. 

The interaction between Gabriel and Zechariah was lengthy, causing the people to grow concerned about his delay in coming out of the temple. According to Jewish tradition, when the priest finished his work, he pronounced the blessing of Aaron over the people who had gathered: "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace" (Num. 6:24–26).

When Zechariah finally appeared, "he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute" (Lk. 1:22). 

After Zechariah finished his time of service in the temple, likely from Sabbath to Sabbath, he made his way home to the hill country. One can only imagine what stirred in his heart along that journey. Though he could not speak, his mind must have been rehearsing the angel's words, eagerly anticipating the moment he could share them with his wife, Elizabeth. 

And just as God had promised, Elizabeth became pregnant.^[2] For reasons not revealed to us, she remained in seclusion for five months. Even so, she rejoiced in the Lord's blessing, saying, "Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people" (Lk. 1:25). 

This incredible story of Gabriel's message to a startled and doubting Zechariah, reminds us that God's purposes are not hindered by the weakness of our faith. From a human perspective, the promise of a son born to parents far beyond childbearing years seemed impossible, and Zechariah honestly struggled to believe it. Yet, God in his mercy and power, accomplishes what human hearts can scarcely imagine. The One who formed the heavens and the earth is the same God who brings life out of impossibility and hope out of what seems beyond reach. 

So we are called to trust him…
…even in our doubts…
…even when life doesn't make sense…
…even when the impossible stares us down…
…even in our doubts and fears…

Whatever you are going through today, God's Word is true, his promises are certain. You can trust him…even with the impossible. 

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Read and reflect on Luke 1:18-25. What situation in your life feels impossible right now, and how is God inviting you to trust his promises rather than your circumstances?

Talking to God: Ask God to help you trust him. 

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