Unwrapping Christmas - Viewing the Nativity Through Luke's EyesSample

Day 9

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 a usual and expected Christmas list doesn’t seem to fit. 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.

Still, there are times where the Lord’s goodness causes us to reap what we sow.  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 (Lamentations 3:22-23). Yet there may be times when He gets our attention with what is called 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, 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 us and through us. Choosing to believe Him is the one thing we can do. And when we can’t do it, when our faith seems weak or even nonexistent, we can ask for His help (Mark 9:24). He will provide.

God was giving Zacharias a crucial assignment, the rearing of the prophet who would introduce the Messiah. With great influence comes great responsibility. Zach needed a heart and a faith realignment. We will see in a few days that he comes out of this situation 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.