Remember that Zacharias saw and heard from an angel. (Luke 1) And he heard also these promises about the kind of child his son would be.
He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth.
He will be great in the sight of the Lord.
He is never to take wine or other fermented drink.
He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.
He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.
He will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah.
He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children.
He will turn the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous.
He will prepare the people for the Lord!
And yet, Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” (Scholars place her age at about 40!)
The angel replies, “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. (My translation? What more do you need! You saw me and heard me and I brought you God’s personal message!)
And the angel continues. “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 appointed time.” (Luke 1:20) I guess Zacharias got all the proof he needed!
The people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. When 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.
Don’t let your own doubts and fears interfere with God’s plan and promise for your life.
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