Luke 1:20 “And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time.”

The power of habit and expectation is remarkable. It always feels strange to read part of “the Christmas Story” other than at the end of the year, even though Jesus was probably not born in December and all these things took months to transpire ahead of His birth anyway. The interesting thing about that is that this particular passage is about that very issue. What Gabriel told Zechariah was so far out of his usual categories that he couldn’t accept it. That’s very similar to being unable to hear what the Lord is saying through “the Christmas Story” in July, simply because it’s July. As this verse says, there are consequences to that sort of thing. In this particular instance, God used Zechariah’s muteness as a powerful testimony to him, his wife Elizabeth, and all around them, particularly at the time of John’s birth. God wasn’t being mean to him, but He wanted him to learn to accept what he was being told. In this case, the consequences of unbelief were nine months of silence, but they can run a wide gamut. We can miss various blessings by failing to believe, but the extreme example is those who miss eternal salvation by failing to believe. Jesus said very clearly, “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” (John 3:18) Eternal, unending destruction is the ultimate consequence of unbelief. We love John 3:16, but few people want to read on through verse 21. There are many who claim God is being “unfair” in this, but as Paul pointed out, “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” (Romans 1:18-20) There is no excuse not to believe in a Creator at the very least. If we have that firmly in place, then the Gospel is good news indeed, and is easy to receive with joy. It is those who don’t want to acknowledge their Creator because of the accountability that entails who have the most trouble hearing and believing the Word of Christ.

I have had the part about God the Father and His Son Jesus “under my belt” for a long time, but it wasn’t until later that I understood and believed about Holy Spirit. I have no issues with those “biggest ticket” items at this point, but I still have trouble with assorted little things. I’ll still be growing in faith until (to quote It Is Well With My Soul) my faith becomes sight. I look forward to that day and have no fear of it, but until then I’m to keep growing! I don’t want to miss any of the countless blessings God has planned for me by failing to believe Him and obey. That last line is important, because as James pointed out, real faith works. (James 2:17) I want to live out my faith in every detail, for the glory of the One in whom I believe.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Little things like physical issues can and do test our faith. Help me rest, relax, and rejoice in You, just as You have told me to do, so that Your will may be done on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!