Consequences

The Angel Gabriel speaks with emotion to Zechariah…

Luke 1:20

“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.”

For Zechariah, the immediate ‘consequence’ of his unbelief is that he will be mute until his son is born. So this begs the question: Is this a punishment for his lack of faith, like sending someone to ‘time out’? 

It certainly will make life much more challenging for Zechariah these next 40 weeks. 

But – it will also remind him over and over and over of his encounter with God’s Messenger and the Promise that was made to him. The case could be made that this ‘consequence’ was necessary and was actually a blessing. Any doubts that Zechariah had were now gone. It was this unique ‘consequence’ that God graciously provided that strengthened his weakened faith. 

Action Point: Do I view ‘consequences’ or any sort of challenge as a gracious provision from God to strengthen my faith?