Moses, and HezeHali, and Jehosliaphat, will all show us that a true believer may sometimes be oyertaken by mi- belief. It is one of the first corruptions which came into man's heart in the day of the fall, when Eve believed the devil rather than God. It is one of the most deep-rooted sins by which a saint is plagued, and from which he is never entirely freed till he dies. Let us pray daily, " Lord increase my faith." Let us not doubt that when God says a thing, that thing shall be fulfilled.
We see furthermore, in these verses, the privilege and portion of God^s angels. They carry messages to God's Church. They enjoy God's immediate presence. The heavenly messenger who appears to Zacharias, rebukes his unbelief by telling him who he is : " I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God ; and am sent to speak unto thee."
The name " Gabriel " would doubtless fill the mind of Zacharias with humiliation and self-abasement. He would remember it was that same Gabriel, who 490 years before had brought to Daniel the prophecy of the seventy weeks, and had told him how Messiah should be cut off. (Dan. ix. 26.) He would doubtless contrast his own sad unbeUef, when peaceably ministering as a priest in God's temple, with the faith of holy Daniel when dwelling a captive at Babylon, while the temple at Jerusalem was in ruins. Zacharias learned a lesson that day which he never forgot.
The account which Gabriel gives of his own office, should raise in our minds great searchings of heart. This mighty spirit, far greater in power and intelligence than we are, counts it his highest honour to *' stand in God's