A Christmas Message: Hidden in the Word "Silent" is "Listen" (Luke 1:5-38;57-80)
Zacharias was one of the older priests in the church. God viewed him and his wife, Elizabeth, as righteous and blameless because they walked in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. Even though she was advanced in years, her desire for children lingered in her heart and mind.
One day while Zacharias was serving the Lord, the lot fell upon him to go into the Temple of the Lord to burn the incense. Imagine the situation: Zacharias walks into the Temple to perform the regular religious routine while the assembled worshipers pray outside the Temple. Suddenly, Zacharias comes face-to-face with an angel who says,
"Do not be afraid, Zacharias, 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. He will be great in the sight of the Lord... He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will go before Him in spirit and power of Elijah..."
Zacharias said to the angel, "How shall I know this. For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years."
Oops, Zacharias messed up. His response reflects doubt, unbelief, and even fear.
As a result, the angel, Gabriel, basically says to Zacharias, "Because you doubted and didn't believe my words, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place."
At this point, what thoughts poured into Zacharias' mind? Was he confused? Did he recognize the angel was from God? Together, let's think beyond the obvious into the heart and mind of Zacharias.
If Zacharias was asked to write an article for the local newspaper describing his experience, he might have written it something like this...
"Shock and doubt absorbed my thoughts. Why was I filled with fear in the midst of one of my greatest priesthood moments? Questions erupted in my mind. Is this the angel of death or an angel of the Lord? Is this my imagination or reality? At this point, I was shaking with fear.
Within seconds, my eyes met face-to-face with the angel. He said, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for I hear your prayer. Your wife will bear you a son, and you shall name him John." Immediately, doubt escalated. Elizabeth and I prayed for God to bless us with a child, but our barren years were over. We are way too old.
The angel went on to say, "The Holy Spirit will fill your child, even from his mother's womb… to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." Without thinking, I shouted, "How shall I know this?" Immediately, I felt the tug of remorse. Regret embedded in my heart. Looking deep within my soul, the angel of the Lord exclaims, "You will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place because you did not believe My words."
I opened my mouth to apologize, but not a word or sound released. I tried again and again, but nothing. Suddenly, the angel vanished. Now, a heavy burden lay upon my shoulders. Why, in the midst of serving the Lord Most High, did I doubt that He was answering our life-long prayer?
Exiting the Temple, I noticed the large crowd of people waiting outside. I tried to share my experience with all my might, but not a sound escaped—a look of confusion formed on their faces. Whispers rippled through the mob. As my eyes met Elizabeth's, the angel of the Lord's words resounded, Your son will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. Suddenly, in my silence, the world around me dissipated.
Frustrated, yet encouraged.
Confused, yet calm.
Fearful, yet humbled.
To my surprise, within a few days, my wife, Elizabeth, conceived a child. For a little over nine months, we didn't leave our home. Still, not a word exited my mouth. Not a peep! In the days of silence, humbleness filled my heart. God's grace, mercy, and love poured over me. In the quiet, I listened to the voice of the Almighty. A life change stirred deep within my soul. I longed to share it with Elizabeth. But how? I trusted in God's perfect timing that one day I would be able to use my voice to explain this transformation.
The day finally arrived. Elizabeth brought forth our son. Relatives and friends rejoiced with us over this miracle baby. Praises to God echoed through the valleys and hills south of Jerusalem. On day eight, when babies are circumcised, the officials ask my wife what name to give the boy. I smiled as she boldly said, "His name is John." The authorities began arguing with her because no one in our family carried that name. Turning to me, they motioned for me to write the name down. I open my mouth and shouted, "His name shall be called John!"
Amazement overwhelms me as well as those who heard my response. Again the angel of the Lord's words surfaced, "You will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time." Filled with the Holy Spirit, I dropped to my knees and began praising God. All in God's perfect timing.
Praise released.
Humbleness flowed.
Love ignited.
CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE… Notice how all this happened to Zacharias while he was serving the Lord. How many times do we question or doubt God in the midst of serving Him? How often do we allow fear to overtake us as God is answering our prayers? So many times, it is in silent moments, God teaches us the most how to listen to His voice. Are you experiencing the silence? Are you listening?
Hidden in the word SILENT is the word LISTEN. Scramble the letters to find both. Like Zacharias, God has so much to teach us about trusting Him even when things don't make sense.
From My Heart to Yours,
Carla McDougal
