Organizing the Inside – Day 312 Revelation Knowledge, Now What?

July 11, 2012 at 5:30 pm · Filed under Encouragement, Faith, Inspiration, Purpose, Wisdom, Women's Ministry and tagged: Elizabeth, Godly Wisdom, HolySpirit, Knowledge, Message, Revelation, Zechariah

11While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. 12Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. 13But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. 14You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. 18 Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.” 19Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! 20But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. Luke 1:11-15, 18-20a (NLT)

Zechariah didn’t believe the angel who came to tell Him of what God was doing. His first response was to rely on what he thought he knew. Often when God sends us a new revelation the first thing we do is question it, often by questioning the messenger. Many take it a step further and begin asking everyone around them if they think this is what God wants. Zechariah’s unbelief was not something God wanted him to go around speaking and perhaps that’s in part why his mouth was closed until after the baby was born.

Another thought to consider is that God doesn’t always want us talking about new revelations He gives. He’d rather us believe it, continue in prayer and go about living it (be about it and not just talk about it). Every message that God gives you is not always something to share openly the minute it’s received. Elizabeth went into seclusion for the first five months of her pregnancy. She was a godly woman and I believe she was led by the Holy Spirit in her decision. Don’t always be so quick to share your revelation or good news when it comes. Make sure your timing is God’s timing. It can be very exciting when God gives us revelation knowledge, a new message of truth, but not all knowledge is for sharing with others.

What is your first response when God sends His message of good news? Are you like Zechariah, quick to consider the reasons why it wouldn’t work? Do you wonder how it could actually be true that God would want to bless you in this great way? This kind of response is not humility, it is doubt and unbelief. Zechariah was a righteous man, yet that didn’t preclude him from doubting when he heard the message. Not believing a message of good news that comes from God shows a lack of trust in Him. Keep the right attitude toward the things of God and be open to whatever He wants to do. So much of what we read in God’s Word tells us to trust Him, yet we often do the opposite by relying on what we understand as truth. Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 (NLT) Remember the Word of God is the one thing we can always rely on to be absolutely true.

Openly embrace the message from God when it comes. When the message lines up with the Word of God and what He has already placed on your heart, don’t automatically question it. There are many things that we do that require less intellectual perception and more spiritual discernment. Be willing to allow God to move in a surprisingly new way.

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