“Behold you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place because you did not believe my words….” Luke 1:20

Zacharias was a man of God, a minister of his day. Together with his wife Elizabeth they had served God their entire lives, and because Elizabeth was not able to have children, they devoted all their time, energy, and attention to the work of the Lord and His church. Then one day in his aging years while tending to his duties in the church, the Angel Gabriel came to visit Zacharias. “And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled and fear fell upon him.” Interesting how easy it is for you and I to sympathize with Zacharias’ reaction. Imagine praying your whole life and suddenly an angelic messenger from the Lord stands before you with a word directly from God! The Angel says to Zacharias, “Do not be afraid for your prayer is 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.” This is about the time dear old Zacharias had a little trouble believing the unbelievable and says, “I am an old man and my wife isn’t any younger.” Zacharias unbelief was no match for God’s plan. The angel simply says, “you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place because you did not believe my words.” When I read Zacharias story I’m reminded of times in my life when

Doubt So Easily Clouds Our Mind.

I’m sure he was thinking, why now, why not when I was younger and could run and play with my son. Why do this in my advanced years when I’m tired and old. Why, why, why! The answers to these questions needs to taken by faith. God’s plans for our lives will be done in His timing, and for His glory. In Zacharias case, God literally had the last word by muting this man until all those months later when John the Baptist was born, at which point God reopened Zacharias mouth. By this time Zacharias had learned his lesson, for the first thing to come out of his mouth was a long and glorious string of praises to God Almighty (Luke 1:68-79). Today, are you a willing vessel, open to being used by God for His great and glorious purpose? Stop asking when and why, and start saying, “Thy will be done”