“Blown Away”
Luke 1:5-80
I was sowing grass seed with the wind blowing and the seed was blowing away as I was sowing it. As I was sowing the seed I was hearing in my spirit these words: “Sometimes we are left chasing our blessings because our words are blowing them away.” Our words (breath-wind) blow the seed away before it takes root. Could it be that God has blessings for us that we blow away with the breath of our words of negativity and doubt?
I usually read the passages dealing with the birth of Christ and the “Christmas story” during the season of Christmas. The stories of Mary and Joseph, Zechariah and Elizabeth and so on. However I began to read this story of Zechariah in Luke with a different perspective after hearing the words in my spirit: “Sometimes we are left chasing our blessings because our words are blowing them away.”
In this story the Angel of The Lord comes to Zechariah and tells him that he has came from the presence of God where God has seen he and Elizabeth’s faithfulness and has heard their prayer. And Zechariah doesn’t say, “wonderful” or “awesome” or “great.” He doesnt even say, “Hallelujah” or “thank you, Jesus.”
Zechariah said, “How can I be sure of this?”
Don’t we all feel like Zechariah sometimes? We cannot always be sure of things. Not even those things we can touch, feel, or measure: emotions, circumstances, situations or feelings. Sometimes we just have to trust that because God said it, it will happen. (That’s the best way anyway, right?)
Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” The angel answered, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time.” (Luke 1:18-20 NIV)
We look at what we can see, touch and feel. Our assurance comes from what we know and not what we can’t see. In these passage it is interesting because the angel of The Lord spoke to Mary as well and Mary said, “how can this be, I am a virgin?” And the Angel of the Lord said, “with men things are impossible, but with God all things are possible.” And Mary said, “Let it be so.” Zechariah said, “how can this be?” And Mary said, “how can this be?” It seems human nature is to doubt and to confess our doubt.
Here’s the question: If God can make a woman who’s womb is old bring forth life, and send an Angel to deliver the good news then why can’t He overcome some negative words, and a little unbelief? Because words are powerful and words matter. They are the confession of our faith and the thoughts of our heart. They bring things to pass and they bring matters into reality. Words are powerful and words matter.
Why Do Words Matter?
1. Words matter because they have the power of life and death in them.
2. Words matter because what you say is heard. (by God, self, the devil & others).
3. Words matter because once you speak them they can’t be taken back.
4. Words matter because what you say someone will believe.
5.Words matter because they can cast doubt.
6. Words matter because they can cause discouragement.
7. Words matter because they can hinder or help someone else.
8. Words matter because what you say can cause things to not happen.
9. Words matter because what you say could, and usually does happen.
10. Words matter because what you say will have to be agreed or disagreed upon. *(God-others – self)
*God is looking for something to come into agreement with and it usually is our confession- the words of our mouth! (faith – belief – confidence – trust)
Don’t allow negative thoughts and words to blow your blessing away, ask God for the grace to be silent when needed; Ask Him for the wisdom to discern when to speak up, and when to be silent because words matter.