Many People proclaim to be Christians; yet, do not attend church or are a member of a church. Proclaiming to be believers yet have no desire to worship God or read His word. Unbelief can be observed in the way anyone approaches life by the movies we see and the books we read, the lifestyle we choose that is in opposition to how God says we are to live as followers of Christ. Zacharias’ unbelief in God’s message revealed his unbelief.
(NASB) Luke 1:18 “Zacharias said to the angel, “˜How will I know this for certain?’ For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.'”
Zacharias’ unbelief could not go beyond the facts of life, Elizabeth and he were too old to have a child, it was humanly impossible.
The angel had said that Zacharias’ prayer was going to be answered, a son would be born to he and his wife. And Zacharias did not believe God’s messenger!
Prayer…do you tell God how He is to answer your prayers? Isn’t prayer to give your need to God and then expect Him to answer in His time and in His way?
(NASB) Luke 1:19 “The angel answered and said to him, “˜I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.'”
Do you reject God’s good news due to fear, as Zacharias did? Do you reject God’s good news due to unbelief, as Zacharias did?
Note: Zacharias was a Jew, a priest who served God – and he expressed unbelief! Watch this man’s faith grow as he waits for his son to be born.
You and I can be a devout church member and working hard for the various programs in the church…however, that does not make you or me a follower of Christ. Our faith must be in Who He is and what He has done in our behalf.
The angel got Zacharias’ attention:
(NASB) Luke 1:20 “And behold, you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.'”
Zacharias lived a life of being in right standing with God; however, he needed a new understanding of Who God was. Do you?
Zacharias would receive proof that God’s message was accurate and true. In the coming days in this devotional, will you be open to your faith growing in the knowledge that God is God and His words are always fulfilled?
If you were “˜corrected’ as Zacharias was for his unbelief, you would be mute for almost a year. Zacharias was a believer and his faith would grow during that year of enforced silence.
What is God using in your life to grow your faith, from unbelief to sound belief in the Lord Jesus Christ?
