Belief of Believers

ave you ever asked something to which the answer was so obvious, so apparent, the question was ... well, just dumb! Let me assure you such questions do not go unnoticed by Mister Bill: ask a dumb questions, expect a smart remark. While performing priestly duties in the temple, God sent an angel to Zechariah: "Your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before The Lord ... he will be filled with The Holy Spirit ... And he will turn many of the children of Israel to The Lord their God, and he will go before Him [Jesus] ... in spirit and power." (Luke 1:13-17). Perhaps Zechariah's response to God's announcement slipped past his lips without thought: "How shall I know this?" (V.18). Yeah, a textbook example of nonsensical questions to which God did not find amusing [as Zechariah was left "silent and unable to speak" until John's birth]. The lack of discernment is often a result of unbelief; we often pray lacking genuine belief that God is able to answer our prayers! I'm so glad those weren't Zechariah's final words: "And his [John's] father Zechariah was filled with The Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, 'Blessed be The Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people." (V.67-68). Zechariah's Song (V.67-79) testifies of The Christ of Christmas come to save mankind - The Free Gift to all who believe. Jesus Messiah is The Belief of all Believers!