I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God

What an honour was bestowed upon Zacharias! To have the angel who stands in the very presence of God Himself in heaven, v. 19 standing before him here on earth, v. 11 bringing a message of blessing from God to him. What were the characteristics of this man who received such a distinguished visitor?

Zacharias was a sanctified man, v. 5, a priest, one who was dedicated to the service of God.

He was a separated man, v. 5. He had married a woman who was also of the priestly tribe. His dedication to God was borne out practically in his being joined to a daughter of Aaron.

He was also a spiritual man, v. 6. Both he and Elisabeth were righteous, and it is stated that it was ‘before God’. What mattered to them was being right in His sight.

Zacharias was a submissive man, v. 6. He and his wife were obedient to ‘all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord’. They did not ‘pick and choose’ what to obey, but happily followed all that was written in God’s word.

In addition, he was a stable man, v. 7. Doubtless, being childless was a big burden, but it did not prevent this couple from continuing in faithfulness to the Lord, and to each other, into their old age.

He was a serving man, vv. 8, 9. We see him busy carrying out the work that God had given him to do in the house of God.

Finally, he was a supplicating man, v. 13. His life was characterized by prayer. It is evident that he had not given up, despite the unlikelihood from the human standpoint, of ever receiving the answer for which he longed.

None of us will receive such a communication in such a dramatic manner today, but God does speak to us through His word. If we would hear His voice, and receive His blessing, we would do well to seek to be like Zacharias: live lives dedicated to God, know practical separation from the world, live righteously before God, be obedient to His word, be consistent in our lives as believers, be busy in service for Him, and continue faithfully in prayer.