Today’s reading: Deuteronomy 31-32; Luke 1:1-23
27 For I know how rebellious and stubborn you are. Behold, even today while I am yet alive with you, you have been rebellious against the Lord. How much more after my death! Deuteronomy 31:27
20 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
The Bible never sugar coats the reality of fallen human nature. People, even God’s people, are not viewed through rose colored glasses, but, rather, are shown to be sinners who never seem to learn from their mistakes and have a hard time believing God’s plain and clear word.
Moses had reassured the Israelites that God would be with them as they entered the Promised Land, but he also told them that he knew their hearts. They would abandon the Lord and go after other gods. Moses knew that they already showed this tendency during his lifetime and they would not improve after his death.
Of course all that Moses predicted came true. The people disobeyed the Lord, going after other gods.
In the case of Zechariah, the elderly childless priest who was assigned the duty of entering the Holy of Holies in the temple, he was greeted by the angel, Gabriel. As terrifying as this experience must have been and as startling as it must have been to hear that the old priest and his wife would have a son, Zechariah questioned the truthfulness of the angel’s words. He showed shameless disbelief and was struck dumb for his obtuseness.
Yet throughout the Scriptures, God shows His mercy, grace, and patience toward His people. He will not abandon those He has chosen for Himself. He is faithful, although they and we show stubbornness at every turn.
May God be praised for never leaving nor forsaking us sinners! How desperately we need His mercy anew every morning!
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