Thursday, 2nd Week of Advent

Thursday, 2nd Week of Advent - Trust and Fear

It's the REAL Thursday of week 2 in Advent

(I don't know how many of you politely ignored my saying yesterday was Thursday).

Something to think about today... Luke 1:11-13

11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.

12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.

13 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 give him the name John.

Later in the passage: Luke 1:18-20

18 Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years."

19 The angel answered, "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.

20 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 proper time."

An Old saying crops up here: WHEN TRUST IS LOST, FEAR MOVES IN.

We all face it - and on most days. We struggle with trust, and fear moves in. Zechariah faced it. The Angel Gabriel is giving him good news and he stands awaiting Zechariah's response. When he speaks, he speaks in fear...trust is gone, fear moved in.

Gabriel seems indignant - "What? What is the matter with you Zechariah?"

The answer my friends is not the absence of fear...that is probably impossible. The answer is turning away from the fear that surfaces and simply say, "Lord, I Trust You."

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