"I am an old man" ... "I am Gabriel!"

Zechariah says, “I am an old man … ” (Luke 1:18). The angel says, “I am Gabriel … ” (Luke 1:19).

When, from “the presence of God”, I hear “good news” about God’s “new thing” (19; Isaiah 43:19), who am I to say, “You’ve got the wrong man. You must be looking for somebody else”?

“I am an old man.” – There may be plenty of reasons why God should look for somebody else. God isn’t impressed by this kind of talk. He says, “I know all about you – but I have chosen you, and I will make you a new man, a man who will serve My holy purpose.”

The “old man” way of thinking is never very far away. This comes from Satan. We must remind him of what God has done for us in Christ: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

“It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). Let us pray that the Holy Spirit will change us. Let us pray that He will make us more like Jesus – “Holy Spirit, we welcome you… Move among us with holy fire… Let the breeze of your presence flow… Please accomplish in me today, some new work of loving grace, I pray; Unreservedly have Your way…” (Mission Praise, 241).