Luke 1:5-25 tells about the birth of John the Baptist being foretold. John's father was Zechariah, a priest. His mother was Elizabeth and both were well advanced in years with no children. Zechariah was chosen to perform the burning of incense in the temple. During the event, an angel appeared to Zechariah and tells him that your prayer has been heard and Elizabeth was going to bear him a son and you are to call him John. The angel tells him other important information. Then Zechariah opens his mouth and out comes, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years." The angel said to him, “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 appointed time.”
Thoughts:
• I know it was a cultural disgrace for being barren, but Zechariah praying for a child at their old age, more power to them.
• Zechariah is in the GOD business, being a priest, yet he basically says to the angel, "How can I be sure that you're not lying?" Gabriel reveals his name and tells him "I stand in the presence of God". I perceive this being very strong words of the impossibility to even insinuate the possibility of a lie would come from God Almighty as God cannot lie. (Numbers 23:19, Titus 1:2, Hebrews 6:18)
• Notice also that Gabriel had the authority to deal with Zechariah's unbelief himself. He didn't have to zoom back to heaven and consult with the Father.
• Like Zechariah, we have heard good news, the gospel, the promises from God's Word, but are we letting our unbelief keep us from acquiring? If we were struck with silence for a season due to our unbelief, sign language would be our common form of communication. Our church services would be rather quiet.
Jesus said "Everything is possible for one who believes.” Declare: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:23-24).