Christmas Journey: Ten Days of Wonder Sýnishorn

But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words… Luke 1:20

Stables. Stars. Mangers. Angels. Consequences. What??!!

Somehow, the final word at the end of the usual Christmas list above doesn’t seem to fit as our journey lingers in the lives of Zacharias and Elizabeth and the birth of their son John. However, the subject of consequences presents itself even as God so mercifully intervenes in our lives and often graciously keeps us from experiencing the consequences of our faulty actions (Lamentations 3:22-23).

Still, there are times when the Lord’s goodness causes us to reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7-8). These are seasons when He allows us to know firsthand that our deeds or words were based outside implicit trust in Him, thereby seriously hindering our faith walk. Zacharias found himself in such a situation.

We know that God’s mercies are new every morning. Yet there may be times when He gets our attention with what is termed a severe mercy when we reap and learn from consequences now that will keep us from committing far more significant or costly blunders in the future.

You see, faith is essential with our Father (Hebrews 11:6), and when we obstinately refuse to believe His Word, He may need to get our attention to stop us from a trajectory of doubt and living less than all the wondrous things He wants to do in, for, and through us. And in the lavishness of His love, He can even draw us more intimately to Himself as He leads us out of a wilderness of our unbelief and stubbornness (Hosea 2:14-16).

Choosing to believe Him is the one thing we can do (John 6:28-29). When we can’t do it—when our faith seems weak or nonexistent—we can ask for His help (Mark 9:24). He will provide.

God was giving Zacharias a crucial assignment: rearing the prophet who would introduce the Messiah. With great influence comes great responsibility. Zach needed a heart and a faith realignment. As we journey, we will discover that Zacharias comes out of this situation as a transformed and faith-filled man.

Because our Father truly does know best, and sometimes reaping what we have sown will later reap an even greater reward in our lives.

Take a moment to consider: Are there areas in my life where I have grown stubborn, thinking I know better than the Lord about this issue? Are there any corrections I need to make?