How Will I Know This for Certain? – Luke 1:18-25

It is possible for any believer to doubt God’s power and Word. Zacharias was a man of God, strong in faith and character, but when Gabriel the angel delivered to him the good news of the promised birth of John the Baptist, Zacharias responded, “How will I know this for certain?” He was unable to believe God’s message in the face of his hopeless circumstances. We ourselves often practice practical atheism, distrusting God, questioning whether all things truly are possible with Him. But to doubt God’s power is sin, and moreover, it is completely unnecessary. As we continue in the gospel according to Luke, we examine the sinfulness of doubt, why it is unnecessary, and how we can avoid doubting the power of God.

Doubt constrains God within the lines of circumstances. God told Zacharias he would have a son, but Zacharias couldn’t believe beyond the reality of his old age and Elizabeth’s barren womb. (v.17) God speaks clearly and directly to us in His Word, but doubt causes us to believe and act according to our circumstances. Many men of God have responded to God’s Word in this way. Abraham laughed with incredulity when God promised him a son at his old age; Moses couldn’t see beyond his shortcomings to accept that God would choose him to lead Israel; Gideon’s estimation of himself fell too short of God’s call for him to deliver Israel. (Gen 17:17; Ex 3:11; Judg 6:15) We continually reflect God in our own image and the limitations of our circumstances, rather than taking God at his Word.

Doubt is self-deceiving. How will I know this for certain? We live in a world that declares God is dead. People practice self-deception because they doubt the living God. Gabriel came to Zacharias as God’s representative. (Dan 8:16) In Zacharias’ doubt, He denied the Word of God delivered by Gabriel. To doubt God is to deny the authority of His Word.

Doubt denies the essence of God’s power in the gospel. I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. Gabriel’s visitation foreshadowed the coming of Jesus. The gospel message- the good news– is the power of God. God became man to die in our place, and to rise again for our salvation. Doubting the gospel never leads to spiritual growth, and it is never profitable for evangelism. Zacharias’ delay in the temple caused the people outside to become confused and perplexed. In the same way, our doubt does not serve those who need Jesus Christ. Jesus said we are the salt of the earth- we are set apart by God to follow Christ and to testify of the gospel with our words and actions. (Matt 5:13-14) Doubt distorts our testimony, giving a confusing message to the world, which can cause unbelievers to become critics of Jesus and the church. If we doubt the power of God in the gospel, we can do nothing for His Kingdom.

Doubting God’s power is unnecessary- whether or not Zacharias doubted, God’s will was done. (v.24) To overcome doubt, we must have the right view of God according to sound doctrine. He is the living God who works beyond the world’s unbelief. Jesus Christ rose from the dead- He is living today. He can do all things, fulfill our every need, because He is the living God. (Acts 25:19) God is also faithful to keep His promises. All have sinned against God- He would be perfectly just to do away with the world, but because of His promise of redemption in Jesus Christ, He preserves us in His faithfulness. God is powerful. By His power He created the world, and by His power He controls and sustains it. (Gen 1:1) He is the One who saves, the only One who can redeem us. We were spiritually dead in sin, but by God’s power, He made us alive in Christ. (1Cor 5:17)

Doubting God’s power is unnecessary because His plan is different for everyone.
Elizabeth conceived at an old age, whereas Mary conceived as a young virgin. God’s will for each of them was distinct. If we compare ourselves to others, we will start to doubt God’s power and goodness. When we come across hardship, we must remember that God’s will is being done in His perfect plan for each of us. Our God is gracious. His kindness towards undeserving sinners has united us to Jesus Christ. It is by grace alone that we are saved, and it is by grace our faith is sustained day to day. By grace alone we will never be separated from God’s love. (Rom 8:32) As we grow in the understanding of God’s amazing grace, our doubt in God will diminish.

We ultimately avoid doubting God by living by faith, not by sight. Jesus Christ is the object of our faith. What we see- our circumstances, emotions, weaknesses- constantly change, but God never changes. He is our hope that we have as an anchor of our souls, a hope both sure and steadfast. (Heb 6:17-19) Let us forsake all doubt, and instead practice and obey God’s will in our lives.