19 December 2015 - in solemn silence wait

[ Today's Readings ]

for this boy is to be consecrated to God from the womb. 

What is God calling us to consecrate to him this morning? He calls Manoah and his wife to consecrate their son to him. He calls Elizabeth and Zechariah to do the same. He does not call them because they are qualified. He qualifies them because they are called.

And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified (cf. Romans 8:30).

In both cases the LORD gives these families something they desperately want. A son and an heir means more than anything to them. But he then calls them both to consecrate this gift back to him. He gives them a gift to offer him back. We may take it for granted that they can easily do this. But it probably isn't that easy. When God gives us amazing gifts how ready are we to consecrate them to his purposes? Or do we instead go off to use them for our own purposes and plans?

The LORD calls us to consecrate our entire lives to him. He does not call us because our lives are immaculate. They aren't. But he does give us gifts which themselves become acceptable offerings back to him.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship (cf. Romans 12:1).

We can understand why Zechariah is reluctant to commit to this plan, even when an angel stands before him explaining it. He is devout. But his life is still in his own hands. He has to regard having a son as impossible. Still less can he imagine offering him back to the LORD. We ought to sympathize with him when he doubts and asks, "How shall I know this?"

God gives him the silence he needs to come to grips with this. He imposes on him the stillness he needs to come to grips with it.

But now you will be speechless and unable to talk
until the day these things take place,
because you did not believe my words,
which will be fulfilled at their proper time.

And while he won't likely force that on us it is nevertheless a good strategy. It will help us to come to the place where we can not only receive the miraculous gifts the LORD has for us but to a place where we can offer them back to him in turn. If we are willing to shut our mouths for a time the LORD will open them again and fill them with praise.

I will treat of the mighty works of the LORD;
O God, I will tell of your singular justice.
O God, you have taught me from my youth,
and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds.