Doubt Rules Out

Luke 1:11Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. 14He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth.[b] 16Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. 17And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

18Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years."

19The 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. 20And 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."

Not many of us have heard from God with all of the specifics like Zack and Liz did. They were going to give birth to John, aka John the Baptist and he would be the one who set the stage for Jesus. They got some very specific info from the angel about the birth and life of their soon to be newborn. But notice at the end, Zack allowed a doubtful heart to get in the way of this divine revelation. The angel silenced his words until the baby was born.

The significance of this may be that God was saying to Zack something that your parents may have said to you: if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all! The fact is that speaking doubtful words can hinder faithful steps. When Zack spoke with doubt, he went without! It takes a word of healing to replace a word of harm. We must be careful when we speak. Don't allow your words to block your worship. Be positive, look up and trust the Lord. Don't let doubt rule out. God's Word for YOU will come true at the proper time too!