BELIEVE

A friend gave me this plaque for Christmas about ten years ago and each year it hangs above the doorway leading from the kitchen to the dining room.


What does it mean to "believe?" To really BELIEVE?

When Zechariah prayed in the temple, an angel appeared to him and told him his prayers had been answered and he would become a father. Zechariah was an old man. He'd probably given up his hopes of being a father a long time ago. By this time his wife, Elizabeth, was beyond child bearing age. So, despite the angelic announcement, Zechariah was unconvinced.

Zechariah's momentary focus only took into account age and biology - the facts of nature as he knew them. His thoughts were so stuck in the created world, He lost sight of the Creator.

Zechariah asked for a sign to know what the angel told him was true. His disbelief brought him a punishment. But his failure to believe did not prevent fulfillment of God's promise.

Listen, sweet friends, God is God whether we believe in Him or not. He is Faithful and True. His promises are always accurate. Our lack of faith does not make God any less. Elizabeth gave birth to the promised son in spite of her husband's initial disbelief. John, the forerunner of Messiah, was born and fulfilled God's calling on his life despite his father's momentary lapse of faith.

What message has God spoken to your heart this Christmas season?  Believe it.  Don't let your vision be so earthbound that you forget ALL God's promises are YES and AMEN in Jesus Christ our Lord.

BELIEVE!