Zechariah’s heart is exposed.  Luke 1:5-20

• He was a righteous man commended by God. (5)
• He was going through the motions of religious duty. (9)
• He had been praying for a child, but not with belief that God could or would. (13)
• Even an angel startling him and revealing a private prayer did not cause him to celebrate or be relieved. (12)
• He wanted to be CERTAIN—he needed faith. (18)

“…How shall I know for certain?” NASB

He and Elizabeth were old.
So was Abraham and Sarah.
He knew that history speaks of God’s capacity, but he did not accept it for himself. 

• He was simply cynical in his disbelief.
• So, he was made silent for 9 months. (20)

What silence can produce from within. 

• God had been silent for 400 years.
• God’s silence will expose a diligent faith or a cynical spirit in us.
  • This provided a season of expectancy as forced generations to study messianic prophecies and be constantly prepared for the messiah’s coming.
  • Through study of the past and of the prophetic future, you learn the heart of God and the depravity of humanity.
  • In the end of such journey of pursuing him, you either become cynical of his reality or you by faith go forward with expectancy of his promises being fulfilled.

• With time, apathy becomes our greatest enemy.
  • We pray and live without expecting his response. Just going through the motions.
  • We pray and live with a storyline in mind that really isn’t supernatural or divine but rather more humanlike.
  • We basically become religious in identity only but not in heart and mind. 

• God becomes a stranger.
  • When God speaks, we dismiss it because we have numbed out or it doesn’t fit our humanized profile for God. 

Silence becomes the teacher.  Luke 1:21-22, 57-66

• Yearning to speak.
  • Writing only is not satisfying.
  • Wanting to be heard.
  • Frustration with others not patient with you.
• Your voice is part of your presence.
• Belief and obedience were key to his redemption.
• Words become intentional and precious.

When silence breaks.  Luke 1:67-79

• Praise God for who he is.
• Praise God for his promises.
• Praise God that he forgives, saves, and guides.