And now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you won’t be able to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly come true at the proper time. – Luke 1:20

Unbelief is dangerous, regardless of who you are. Zechariah, a member of the priestly tribe, was standing in the Holy Place offering incense before God when an angel of the Lord brought him a message. Because he refused to believe the message and questioned the power of God, Zechariah was struck dumb.

Another example of unbelief is found in Numbers 20:11-12, which tells how Moses’ and Aaron’s lack of trust in God led them to act rashly. They struck the rock twice instead of merely speaking to it as God had instructed. This simple act of unbelief disqualified them from their long-awaited entrance into the Promised Land.

God does not exempt His leaders from judgment if they fail to walk before Him in the purity of faith. He “doesn’t show partiality” (Acts 10:34) and equally dispenses judgment on all who refuse to believe. His judgment can be swift and stern, as when Uzzah was struck dead for steadying the ark of the covenant after the oxen stumbled (1 Chronicles 13:9-10). In another instance, “Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu put coals of fire in their incense burners and sprinkled incense over it” (Leviticus 10:1) and were immediately burned alive by the fire of God.

God is awesome in His holiness and will not be disregarded. Let’s serve Him with the proper respect and awe, “for our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29).