HOPE RETURNS BY A SUPERNATURAL PRESENCE

Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.  And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.  (Luke 1:11-12)

There are those times that God breaks into the course of the natural realm with a dramatic supernatural event.  That happened as Zacharias prayed and ministered in the Temple.

First, we have REVELATION (v.11)  The language leads us to believe the angel was there, but invisible to human vision.  Then, God manifests Gabriel’s form for the old eyes of Zacharias to behold a wonder he has not observed during his many years. 

If God opened our spiritual eyes, we would see there are angels all around us. There are things happening in the spiritual dimension continually, of which we have been oblivious.  I think of Jacob lying down his head on a stone for a pillow, and as he dreams, seeing heaven open—a stairway reaching up to God’s throne—with angels ascending and descending.  He awakens to call it Bethel—the House of God—and exclaim that he did not even suspect he was in such a sacred location!

Then, look at this story from 2 Kings 6:14-18 where the King of Syria has dispatched his army to kill Elisha the prophet: 

Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city.  And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”  So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”  And Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.  So when the Syrians came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, and said, “Strike this people, I pray, with blindness.” And He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.

We are never alone—God is near! 

Some years ago, my son Corey broke his arm.  As a young child he was terrified and in pain when they took him into X-Ray and shut the massive door.  He couldn’t see me, but I could hear him crying, “Daddy!  Daddy, help me!”  I was there, overseeing and caring—feeling for him.  Don’t think that God ever abandons His child!

Then, we find REVERENCE (v.12)  Zacharias is awestruck.  In our age, we are often so casual and careless about holy things and sacred places.  Many church gatherings resemble a circus meant to entertain man rather than a worship service aimed at exalting Christ.  Irreverence comes from failing to see God as He is!  If an angel could so terrify a good man, like Zacharias, what reverence should be shown the Lord?  Our behavior in God’s sanctuary may indicate that the glory has departed—for when the glory of God is manifested, we cannot but tremble and be driven to our knees!

The exhibition of a supernatural presence is a most remarkable thing.  It can happen, but rarely happens—and that’s what makes it so dramatic.  We cannot demand it, but when a Sovereign God chooses to disclose Himself or His messenger—or to do a miraculous work—then it is a transformational event.  It surely was for Zacharias!

May God make us spiritually attune to His activity, whether seen or unseen.