Day 18- Words Are Powerful and Waiting Is Hard
We have spent a lot of time on Zacharias and Elizabeth and the announcement of John’s birth. However, I feel like that this is an important story in the events surrounding the birth of Christ and in its own way, it is also supernaturally divine as well. In verse twenty of Luke chapter one, the angel Gabriel continues to dialogue with Zacharias, telling him that he will be mute until the day that he names John. And now in this same verse, he tells him why.
Gabriel says, “You will be mute until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.” So Zacharias came out the temple of the Lord after finishing his work and he was mute. Since he had finished his services to the Lord, he simply went home. However, I want you to notice that Gabriel says that these things would all be fulfilled in their own time. Everything takes time, but no one likes to wait. Nevertheless, there is a spiritual principle and process which involves: seed, time and harvest.
The seed is planted, but there has to be a process in which we wait. Waiting is the “time” element of this process. We usually have to wait before we see the evidence or enjoy the benefit of the promised results. Zacharias and Elizabeth had prayed and believed God—but then they waited. And they waited and they waited! But now, Elizabeth is going to be pregnant by the miraculous grace of God allowing her womb to be awakened. And, the angel Gabriel has delivered the word of promise—however, they will now wait again! And by the way, waiting typically doesn’t feel very spiritual and it usually doesn’t appear to be very supernatural.
Nevertheless, after all of this had happened Elizabeth conceived and hid for five months and Zacharias and Elizabeth are not really mentioned again in Luke’s story until Mary visits Elizabeth and then for Zacharias, it’s when John is born and he names him. That’s pretty much their story, but what’s interesting in this part of the story, is the fact that Zacharias is made to be mute until everything is fulfilled and John is born and then Zacharias is the one who speaks up and names him. Why?
Take Away: Here’s the scenario: Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” The angel answered, “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. And 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 proper time.” (Luke 1:18-20)
Here’s my question: If God can make a woman whose womb is past child bearing age bring forth life, and then send the Angel Gabriel to deliver the good news—why can’t He overcome some negative words and a little unbelief? Did God make Zacharias mute so he wouldn’t speak out and hinder what He was trying to do? I don’t know, but it’s interesting that when he spoke in disbelief, Gabriel said that he would be mute until John was born.
Although I don’t know the exact reason for Zacharias being mute until John’s birth, I do know that the Bible tells us that the power of life and death are in the tongue. Words are powerful and they give the spirit realm something to come into agreement with. Your words matter because what you say is being heard by someone. Your words matter because once you speak them they cannot be taken back. Your words matter because they can cast doubt on a situation that requires faith. Your words matter because they can cause discouragement where hope is needed.
Was Zacharias made mute because he spoke in disbelief. I’m not sure, but it does however appear to be so. Nevertheless, may we believe God and speak in faith and may we choose our words wisely as we wait and watch the plan of God unfold in our lives.
