Have you ever looked at older believers and assumed that because they know the Bible well, have served for many years, and have lived a godly life, they could pass any faith test?  Or that you could?
Have you ever looked at a young person in your faith community and made assumptions? They were inexperienced, untrained, and first-generation believers, so they may not be able to handle a hard test of their faith.
Well, things aren’t always as they appear!

Old Zachariah had been trained in the Torah, the Psalms, and the prophets. As a priest, he knew that God would send the Messiah. He also knew the prophecy about the forerunner to the Messiah. He had been obedient and dedicated in his private life, and faithful in serving at the Temple. Yet one prayer had gone unanswered for his entire adult life. He had finally reconciled himself to God’s, “No.” Have you been there? But there had been hard years when his friends and relatives were welcoming baby after baby into their families while his house had remained empty.  Then years of going to the weddings of his friends’ children, but no wedding celebrations at his house.

Later, his friends laughed about the antics of their grandchildren, but he had no funny stories to share. So the years had come and gone, and so had the hope. No more heartfelt prayers, no more hope, just the empty ache, and maybe the unspoken question of why God had withheld his blessing of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. And so, the years rolled by relatively uneventfully. Until . . .

No one is ever prepared for an angel visit. No one could blame him for being shocked and frightened at seeing an angel. After all, none of God’s people had seen an angel since the days of Daniel, the prophet. Zachariah knew that Adam and Eve were prevented from returning to Eden by a warrior angel. Abraham had entertained supernatural guests, and Jacob saw angels commuting to Earth from Heaven. He knew that David had seen the mighty destroying angel after he had sinned by counting God’s people and Elisha had asked God to let his servant see the protecting angels around them. But it had been hundreds of years since there had been a prophet from God or an angel visit. So who could blame him for being shaken up and fearful when a mighty being from another realm broke into his quiet service burning incense to God in the Temple?
And what a shock that this supernatural being was aware of his intimate prayer to God! His prayer for a child had been heard all these long years? And likely not only by God but also by angels?! And now when it’s too late, his hopes would be raised again? A baby would bring them joy and delight? And not just them, but many will rejoice at the birth? And not just a run-of-the-mill baby, but a special baby who will be great in the sight of the Lord, and filled with the Holy Spirit even before birth? He will go on ahead of the Lord and in his authority? Given the spirit and power of the ancient prophet Elijah who stood for God against all opposition calling his people to repentance? Just too hard to believe.

Zachariah saw only the impossibility of it. Humanly, it couldn’t happen. Perhaps his heart had become calloused after years of disappointment and unanswered prayers. He just couldn’t bring himself to believe the impossible. His faith failed him even in the presence of this heavenly messenger. The weight of reason suffocated his trust in Almighty God. He saw only the human side and didn’t take into consideration the trustworthiness and power of the Promiser. This is always our temptation, too!
“How can I know? How can I be certain? How can I be sure? My wife and I are too old.”

His angel visitor didn’t mince words. His rebuke was swift and authoritative.
“I am Gabriel [God’s strong man]. I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news!
You didn’t believe (trust) my words, which will be fulfilled at the appointed time so you will be silent until the day this happens. ”

God mercifully answered Zachariah’s request to know. God gave him a sign so he could know for sure that the prophecy would be fulfilled. Every time Zachariah opened his mouth to speak but couldn’t, he would know the angel’s words would come true. He carried in his body the promise of fulfillment, as his elderly wife, Elizabeth, carried in her expanding body the promise of fulfillment. Nine months later, Zachariah was enthusiastic in using his restored voice to praise God and was used by God to make prophecies about his miracle baby and the greater One coming. God doesn’t throw us away when we stumble. When we’re humble, he brings us back to faith.
This old priest who had religious training, the honor of the priesthood, years of experience serving in the holy Temple, and a lifetime of obedience, failed a faith test. Yet a young woman named Mary from a despised area of the country became a model of belief. She didn’t have the benefits of formal education, respect, or even life experience. Yet, disadvantaged as she was, she passed the faith test.

Zachariah’s story both warns and encourages me.  I don’t want to slide into complacency, holding onto the status quo, assuming that my years of experience serving, spiritual training, and a heritage of faith will automatically enable me to pass a faith test.  I sure don’t want to assume that young people who don’t have these advantages will fail the faith test.  Instead, I want to be alert and pray diligently so I’m ready for challenges.  I want to be busy loving others and faithfully using what I’m good at for their benefit.   That includes encouraging those younger by example, hospitality, and loving relationships.  BTW, Zachariah did just that after his angelic rebuke.  He welcomed that faith-filled young woman into his home for a three-month stay providing a safe place where she was loved, cared for and understood.  You can read the whole story in the first chapter of Luke in the New Testament.  (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%201&version=NIV;NLT)

“. . . be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.  Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”  1 Peter 4:7-10