Tongue-Tied
Today’s Verse:
And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. ~Luke 1:20
Being tongue-tied is when a person is speechless or does not have the words to say what they want, perhaps out of shyness or embarrassment. This morning, we are considering a man who was “tongue-tied” because he did not believe the Word of the Lord and was unable to speak for nine months. This man is Zacharias, whose name means “remembered of Jehovah.”
We see Zacharias and his service.
According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. Zacharias and his wife, Elisabeth, had a godly heritage. He traced his descendance from Abijah, and Elisabeth from Aaron. Both of them are described as being “righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” He was a priest whose office was to burn incense at the golden altar. This symbolized him as a man of prayer. The greatest service any of us can render to God is our prayers and supplications. He was a good and godly man who served the Lord well.
We see Zacharias and his son.
“But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.” God sent the angel Gabriel to announce to Zacharias that his wife, Elisabeth, would bear them a son in their old age. They had been childless all the years of their marriage. In addition to the announcement that they would have a son, they were told that this son would be a prophet of God after the order of Nazarites. This child would be none other than John the Baptist. This announcement was shocking to him. I mean, how would you react if an angel of the Lord came to tell you that your barren wife’s womb would be opened, and that she would give birth to a mighty prophet of the Lord? Never discount the vision that God has for your marriage and the children that God will bless you with.
We see Zacharias and his skepticism.
Zacharias considered his weak physical condition and asked, “How can this be?” God had just given him an authoritative message of something great, and Zacharias responded with doubtfulness and skepticism. More possibilities of great things are quenched at the announcement level because we doubt God’s Word, His power, and that which is possible with God. Unbelief discredits God’s power and God’s Person. Instead of having faith in God’s Word through His messenger, Zacharias chose to express his doubts and reasons why it could not be done.
We see Zacharias and his silence.
Zacharias’ response was met with God’s chastening upon him. God told him, “Thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed.” Without faith, it is impossible to please God. For the entire duration of Elisabeth’s pregnancy, Zacharias would not be able to speak a word. God was teaching him that unbelief in God’s plan for our lives is unacceptable.
We see Zacharias and his sermon.
The miracle birth of John came! Eight days after John’s circumcision, Zacharias was asked what the name of the baby would be. He wrote out on a tablet “John.” The people marveled at this, and, at that moment, God loosened his tongue to speak. The first words out of his mouth were a powerful sermon glorifying God, but also declaring the child’s selection for God’s service. Don’t be tongue-tied because of doubt and unbelief! Have faith in God and glorify Him through the words that come out of your mouth.
Have a faithful God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Matthew 26