Be Dumb Like Zacharias or Blessed Like Mary

While reading Luke 1, this morning, I was dramatically shown the importance of how one responds to a word from the Lord. As I read the account given by Luke, it begin with detailing the priestly duty of burning incense in the temple assigned to Zacharias. He loved God, and was devoted to carrying out his lot according to the will of his heavenly Father. As the story continues, however, we see Zacharias make a misstep in his belief system. When the angel, Gabriel, visits him in the temple and confirms that his prayer has been answered, and that his barren (and old) wife, Elisabeth would bare a child called John, he was immediately struck with unbelief. He questioned Gabriel saying, “Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years” (18). This faithless doubt led to a sentence of dumbness cast over Zacharias until the tidings of the angel were come to past. “And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.” (20).

Five months later Gabriel is sent out from heaven to again deliver a message of conception to another unsuspecting candidate; this time Mary is the chosen recipient. When he visits her, he informs her that she will conceive the Savior of the world supernaturally without having ever slept with a man. Now, this declaration would be heavy to accept according to current societal standards, so imagine the news in this time period! But, the response of Mary to such sayings is what has now made her name and faith legendary throughout history. “And Mary said,… be it unto me according to thy word” (38).

The same message was given to each candidate by an angel of the Lord. Both parties were instructed that the naturally impossible was to become a vivid reality in their lives, as willed by God. It’s the response, however, that made the difference in their journeys toward the manifestation of the word spoken over them. One would think that Zacharias, being a priest, would immediately be believing of anything that took place spiritually from the Lord. He was used to dealing with the supernatural on a daily bases. However, his title (and job description) here, held no weight where his faith was lacking. Mary, on the other hand, was an ordinary young lady set to marry soon. But, her willingness to receive, and later conceive the message of an angelic hosts proves faith resides outside of, and can possibly override or undermine ones title. Mary was able to believe outside of her feelings and circumstances; and hence, is one of the most revered women in history.

How YOU respond to impossibility in this season, will be a direct correlation to what you receive in this New Year. Blessings or dumbness, you choose. In both scenarios the word of God manifested in the form of birth, but the players involved chose their positioning by their faith (or lack thereof).

What is God asking you to believe today? What is the impossibility that God is saying is possible but you doubt? What will you choose today, blessing or dumbness? Faith or doubt? The answer to your manifestation rides on your choosing. “For with God nothing shall be impossible” (37)!


Choose wisely,

Nikki D