Zechariah- Mute Until He Listened

18Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”

19The angel said to him, “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. 20And 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 appointed time.”

21Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.
       ....62Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” 64Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. 

Thoughts: Zechariah was made mute until he began to listen.  Truth is Zechariah believed in his own words and not God's word.   So God made him unable to speak his own words.  It is often the case, we only trust ourselves and what we are used to experiencing instead of what the Most Powerful Being in the Universe says.  When Zechariah finally believed and said "His name is John" (as the angel said), his mouth was opened again and He praised the Lord.  Our mouths are not made to curse and rebel against the God who made our lips and vocal chords.  Rather, we are made to sing and praise and honor God.  Listen to the Lord, and let our lips and mouths reflect praise back to Him. 

Prayer: Lord, you are worthy of our praise and worship.  Give me a believing heart for you.