And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.  

- Luke 1:20

No one is above unbelief.

Zachariah was a righteous man, a holy man, a priest in Israel. If anyone knew of the Lord's faithfulness and power, it was him.

Zachariah had studied the stories of old. Zachariah surely knew that nothing was impossible with God.

Miraculous births were not new to God— God had done it before (Genesis 18:11-14, 21:1-3, Judges 13:2-3; 1 Samuel 1:5,20), and what God has done once, He can do again.

Yet Zachariah doubted God. Zachariah's reason got the best of his faith (vs.18).

Too often, the same is true for us—where our reason begins, our faith ends. The result?

The same tongue that should be praising God is rendered silent (vs. 20).

Zachariah was condemned to silence, a nine-month reminder that his distrust was offensive to God.

If God wants to do something, that thing will be done. We must trust God!

As JC Ryle once said, doubt “robs believers of their inward peace, weakens their hands in the day of battle, and brings clouds over their hopes. Unbelief is the true cause of a thousand spiritual diseases...”

Today's Reflection & Action:

What are you not trusting God with right now? Why not?

There is something that God has told you in His Word that you are not believing. Write it down. Memorize it. Trust His Word.

Faithfully,
Pastor Chris

Paper Sunday is blessed to collaborate with Chris Harper on this Advent Devotional Series.

Chris Harper is a speaker, writer, and disciple-maker. Chris is President of 252Edu, a consulting firm based in Dallas, Texas. Chris serves schools, churches, and non-profits by helping them "grow in wisdom, favor and stature with God and man.”

When not taking ground for King Jesus, you can find Chris on the basketball court playing a pick-up game. Chris is a sneakerhead, an avid reader, and loves a good cheeseburger. You can follow him @252consulting on Instagram.