"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 which will be fulfilled in their own time." (vs20)
If we don’t believe, then we don’t enjoy the peace and power of believing. In our unbelief, we didn’t know God, nor could we praise Him. Yet, this is how BELIEVER’S can be: ignorant and blind… unable to praise Him… because of unbelief.
The angel came with the gospel message of God doing the impossible by His faithfulness and power - “But the angel said unto him, Fear not Zacharias: for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elisabeth shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name John“ (Luke 1:13). Yet, Zacharias, a holy and devout man, did not believe (vs6). Is this you, O Christian? Are you God’s child but UNABLE to praise Him by unbelief? Must you see God faithful before you believe? Must you have more evidence than God’s word before you live by it joyfully?
Many say, “I don’t believe how God can save me from sin”, and so they perish. Yet, believers may struggle in unbelief, struggle with lusts, and struggle with temptations and prolonged failure, simply because we don’t BELIEVE how free we are - “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). The gospel says it, but then we reason, “How can I be holy AND a sinner. And, since I know I’m a sinner by experience, I will deny the holiness of the gospel, and I won’t pursue it zealously”. This, however, is judging by sight, rather than faith… human wisdom, rather than the faithfulness of God.
Don’t be CHEATED out of praising God by unbelief. Believe the fullness of the word, whether you can explain it or not, “For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). You are forgiven and clean, predestined and called, saved by grace and saved to work. Believe ALL that He says, and your rejoicing shall be full - “And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full“ (1 John 1:4). The same texts you mangle will be texts of adoration. The same truth you shudder at and shrug back from will be the truth that liberates your life with meaning and pleasure.
Believe. Only believe - “But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole“ (Luke 8:50). Believe God and not your weakness, the devils insinuations of future failure, or even the present condition of your body. Don’t believe the temptation is TOO strong, when God says it’s not - “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure“ (1 Cor 10:13).
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