December 8, 2009

The Silence
Scripture Reading
Luke 1:18-20 (HCSB) 18 “How can I know this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.” 19 The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news. 20 Now listen! You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”

Devotion
Silence. That is the punishment Zechariah got for not believing God. We like to pick on people in the Bible when they do silly things. We look with hindsight at Zechariah and we think that he should have known better. He should have realized that an angel appearing to Him would know if he was going to have a baby or not. We think those things, then we turn around and do not believe God for the simplest things in our own lives. I’m just glad that every time I doubt God he doesn’t come in and close my mouth for nine months!

Questions
What has God assured you, that you have a hard time believing?

How can you better walk in faith?

Prayer
Dear God, I know you have assured us many things in your Word. Help us to believe and receive from you what you want us to have. Amen.

Carol
“Emmanuel”