Do you really need a sign to confirm The Word of GOD?
The mind is the enemy-occupied territory that must be overtaken.
Luke recorded by The Holy Spirit in Luke chapter 1:
8-9 One day, Zechariah’s priestly order was on duty and he was serving as priest. He was chosen by the casting of lots (according to the custom of the priesthood) so the honor fell upon Zechariah to enter the Holy Place and burn incense before the Lord.
It is estimated that there were 20,000 priests in Christ’s time, so this was once-in-a-lifetime moment for Zechariah. The burning of the incense before The Lord was done twice daily, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. (Ex 30:7-8)
10 A large crowd of worshipers had gathered to pray outside the temple at the hour when incense was being offered.
11 All at once an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing just to the right of the altar of incense.
12 Zechariah was startled and overwhelmed with fear.
Why was Zechariah startled? No one could enter The Holy Place except the designated priest. Zechariah was experiencing a supernatural encounter with an angel.
13 But the angel reassured him, saying, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God is showing grace to you. For I have come to tell you that your prayer for a child has been answered. Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son and you are to name him John.
14 His birth will bring you much joy and gladness. Many will rejoice because of him,
Zechariah had been praying for a child and Gabriel announced that his prayer had been answered. In the natural, it was impossible to have a child. However, with GOD nothing is impossible!
15 and he will be one of the great ones in the sight of God. He will drink no wine or strong drink, but he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even while still in his mother’s womb.
16 And he will persuade many in Israel to convert and turn back to the Lord their God.
17 He will go before the Lord as a forerunner, with the same power and anointing as Elijah the prophet. He will be instrumental in turning the hearts of the fathers in tenderness back to their children and the hearts of the disobedient back to the wisdom of their righteous fathers. And he will prepare a united people who are ready for the Lord’s appearing.”
What a great promise, especially being filled with The Holy Spirit in the womb! Was Zechariah ready to fully receive such a promise?
18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How do you expect me to believe this? I’m an old man and my wife is too old to give me a child. What sign can you give me to prove this will happen?”
Even with such an encounter, Zechariah had unbelief in his heart. He wasn’t fully believing in his own prayers. Further, he was challenging the Word of THE LORD.
19 Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel. I stand beside God Himself. He has sent me to announce to you this good news.
Here you have a chief angel, one who is closest to The Throne of GOD stating a rēma Word of GOD given to Zechariah and he questions it!
20 But now, since you did not believe my Words, you will be stricken silent and unable to speak until the day my Words have been fulfilled at their appointed time and a child is born to you. That will be your sign!”
FATHER’S best is that we don’t need a sign to confirm HIS rēma Word. As Zechariah found out, there is a ramification when you challenge HIS Word. He actually was given the first sign when the angel appeared in The Holy Place. Requiring a second sign caused his inability to speak for nine months.
On the other hand, how did Mary respond when Gabriel appeared and spoke to her?
Luke 1:38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your Word.” And the angel departed from her.
Let us not respond in unbelief when we receive a rēma Word from THE LORD!