Silent Expectation

“ “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 Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this?  For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”  And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings.  But behold, 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.” “  Luke 1:13-20

I have often wondered why God chose to take away Zacharias’ voice.  The only answer we have is what scripture tells us which is, “because you did not believe my words…”  Can you imagine not being able to talk for nine months because you didn’t believe God?  Can you imagine if no one else around you had any idea why you suddenly weren’t able to speak?  Zacharias was left with the only One he could talk to and that was His God.

Have you ever felt like you were in a similar situation?  Has God ever taken something from you that makes no earthly sense?  It could be many things such as a want or desire, material items or even your health.  Possibly a talent or gift, a job, something that once made you feel secure or even a loved one.  We may not understand why God removes these things from us but one thing we know for sure is that God is all-knowing and all-powerful.

What do you think Zacharias did during this time of silence?  Do you think he wandered around complaining to God, begging him for his voice back?  I tend to think that he chose to take this time to spend with the only One that could hear him.  I believe he began to listen more closely to God’s voice, trust Him more, believe Him more and honor and fear Him in the way our Lord deserves.  We need to do the same when we find ourselves in a situation similar to Zacharia's.  We need to allow God to fulfill us in His own time as we wait in silent expectation.

“So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias.  His mother answered and said, “No, he shall be called John.”  But they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.”  So they made signs to his father - what he would have him called.  And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote saying, “His name is John.” So they all marveled.  Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God.”  Luke 1:59-64

For nine months Zacharias was humbled by his God.  When it came time to name his baby, Zacharias remembered the Lord .  Zacharias knew that this child was a gift from God who moved mightily in his behalf and to honor Him, he gave his own baby the name that the Lord chose.  Immediately his tongue was loosed and he praised God!  I believe that after all he learned during his time of silence, the words “His name is John” could easily be translated into “My God is GOD!”

If you are struggling, turn to the Lord your God.  Seek Him and follow Him, accept His ways above your own.  Know that He is right and just and good.  His Word will be fulfilled and when your breakthrough comes, give praise to God for working mightily in your behalf!

“Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea.  And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts saying, “What kind of child will this be?”  And the hand of the Lord was with him.”  Luke 1:65-66

Allow your praises to go forth as a witness to those who hear.  Believe in the promises of our Lord.  Our God is Mighty, He is Just and He is Good - whether we understand that or not.  His ways are far above our ways.  He knows what it takes to turn our hearts toward Him and He will do it for our sake.  He loves you and He will never leave you nor forsake you.  He waits on you, to look to Him, to believe Him, to lean on, trust in and rely on Him.  Once you do, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead will be released to work in your behalf and your God will come through.  When He does, praise His Holy Name!  For it is He who gives you life and power and peace!

With the same faith, belief, humility, and fear of Zacharias, proclaim this today: “My God is GOD.”