Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 257

September 13;   Luke 1:20;   45/260(II);   ‘Believe What God Says’

Luke 1:20 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."

Zacharias, a priest, was in the temple, at the altar of incense.  The angel Gabriel supernaturally appeared to him, frightening Zacharias.  Gabriel tells Zacharias that even though he and his wife Elizabeth are old, and Elizabeth is ‘barren,’ they will have a son.  The son would be John the Baptist, a man mightily used by the Lord.  Zacharias questioned Gabriel, because of his age and the age of his wife.  Gabriel tells Zacharias that he came from the presence of the Lord to tell him this news, but because of Zacharias’ unbelief, Zacharias would be unable to speak until the child was born.  Elizabeth did become pregnant, they did have a son and named him John and Zacharias was unable to speak until the baby was born.  Here is a very important point.  You always pay a price when you do not believe what God says.  Imagine seeing a magnificent angel, who tells you things the angel would have no way of knowing, unless it was given to him by some source.  Zacharias chose not to believe and he paid a price, not being able to speak.  The Bible, God’s Word, is God speaking to you.  It is not as spectacular as an angel appearing to you, but it is just as much God speaking to you than if Gabriel were to appear to you.  The Apostle Peter, tells us in I Peter 1:18-19 that on the Mt. of Transfiguration, he heard the voice of God the Father speak from heaven, but then goes on to say that the Word of God ‘is a more sure word of prophecy’ (v19).    Believe His Word and act upon it.  You are blessed when you believe the Bible and do it.  God cannot bless you if you do not believe the Bible and do not do it.