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Day 18 of God's Gift Giving
by turtle30c
Luke 1:57-66 KJV
(57) Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered;
and she brought forth a son.
(58) And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord
had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.
(59) And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to
circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the
name of his father.
(60) And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be
called John.
(61) And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is
called by this name.
(62) And they made signs to his father, how he would have him
called.
(63) And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His
name is John. And they marvelled all.
(64) And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue
loosed, and he spake, and praised God.
(65) And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all
these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country
of Judaea.
(66) And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts,
saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the
Lord was with him.
God’s gift of resttoration after punishment. If a child does not
believe their parents, a parent will say wait and see if I am not
right, maybe, unless there is sass the child will not usually be
punished for unbelief. However the consequence for a child of
unbelief might be a burn because of touching a hot stove, or
failing a test for not studying. Belief and unbelief is a major deal
to God. It not something to take lightly. To not believe in God will
get you cast in the pit of hell for unbelief. Belief will give you
eternal life in heaven. Unbelief is one of those things that caught
many of God’s people in trouble. Eve and Adam did not believe
God got cast out of the garden when they disobeyed God.
Zacharias was not in disobedience as much as unbelief. Unbelief
can cost you. Moses unbelief kept him from entering the promise
land. Pharaoh lost his Hebrew slaves for not receiving the signs
God gave. Peter unbelief caused his denial of Christ. Zacharias
unbelief caused him to loose his voice for a time.
God punishes unbelief to strength faith. It is a correction to instill
more faith. Not to destroy faith. Zacharias would be restore but
the gift of punishment for nine whole months plus must have been
hard on Zacharias. I have to wonder if Elizabeth his wife enjoyed
the silence. Zacharias did not choose to be silent, God hush him.
Until Zacharias seen the child and declared his son name was
John, he was force to live with the punish of unbelief. A
punishment that spoke to his generation the importance of faith,
the importance of belief.
God gift of restoration was Zacharias, upon receiving the proof
of the word of God and declaring it for himself. He could then
speak the name of his son to his friends and family. He could tell
his family and friends what happened to him. He was restored to
speak once more. Sometimes restoration to God has always
meant to omit the truth, especially concerning sin. When a
believer states all have sinned including I, and I believe in Jesus
as my personal Savior restoration can be made to God through
Christ death and resurrection. Where are you today concerning
belief and unbelief concerning God’s salvation plan? Punishment
for unbelief is the road going to hell you are already on, yet belief
is turning around walking toward Jesus the promise.
Dear Heavenly Father, help us to walk toward Christ knowing
your desire to restore us and not punish us for eternity because
of a lack of faith. In Jesus precious name, Amen.
http://www.turtle30cshell.com
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