Luke 1:18-25 KJV
18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
20 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.
21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.
22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.
23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.
24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.

The cost of doubt is a closed mouth by God's mighty hand. It matters not how much we believe, there are times of even unbelief in God's word that comes into the believers heart. I like to think all believers never have one doubt, or need more proof from God, that was given evidence to the great degree he did to those of faith. Yet in truth we are ever hearing but not always preceiving or receiving of the truth in our heart or mind. Zachariah, a Priest should of believed all with appearance of angel but he had doubts of this miracle that was coming his way, because of this angel who spoke to him. Who was he that God found favor with him and his wife. How would he know what was spoken was true. He never seen angel. His own doubts in the most holiest place he could stand within the temple and he believed not without evidence of the fact it would come to pass. And the angel told him he would not be able to speak until these things came to pass in full season of the event. Zachariah went home made love to his wife and she conceived. However before he went to his wife he came out and the people gather, but Zachariah could not say a word.

Ezekiel Old Testament prophet had a similiar problem, even the Spirit of God stood him to his feet and spoke to him, but he could not speak word to anyone else. Chapter 3. Now we know why Ezekiel laid on his side and drew pictures, because he could not speak what God spoke to him. Yet in chapter 26 he was allowed to speak words after a time of silence. All this having to do with unbelief and yet he believed. Belief is a hard pill to swallow it like a horse pill that a person is trying can to choke past one's own throat needing water to chase it to gasp for air once more. That a pretty good pill to swallow. God's word despite faith is not always so cut and dry and able to receive it. We might hear, we might see, but the event to come or has come is to great to be able to speak it because of God's Spirit. One meet an individual with the inability to speak because of a terrible shock. That not what is happening to the prophet or Zachariah. God literally quieting their ability to say more. Not without a notepad, or some other means of drawing in dirt or on a stone could one even understand what these men said.

I have to wonder why would God silence them, not just unbelief but it not time to unveil the event taking place. Time of not full grasping what was coming to the world not fully grasp or told to Zachariah beyond scripture. He was given instructions on how to raise this son he was going to have. Yet it was the beginning of hope when he could not speak or say a word to anyone. Can you imagine having to hold your tongue as your wife conceived and you new it for five months as she did not leave her house in honor to God, who removed her reproach among women.

Now this story breaks off to the story about virgin Mary. Yet it finishes with Mary's visit to Elizabeth. We will be finishing the story, but let us continue with this thought, if God has the ability to silence us by his Spirit, then he knows how to provide us with the words to spread the Gospel and his miracles with others as well as prophecy of war. Ezekiel drew about the fall of Israel and the enemy surrounding and the enemy taking the land. Yet it was not privilege for the ears of all around but to those that looked and studied those drawings. People looked at the drawings to know what was happening and their were scoffers among them.

We get in a place of unbelief, and yet God closes the mouths of lions, and opens the mouths of ministers. He opens the remnants heart and mind to hear and he gives them the ability to speak to those that will listen. Who are we to doubt God's ability through silencing to testify of his wonder he will perform in a person life. Are you so easily believing. What about Christ return, we ever so willings as believers to wait, but are we preceiving the event to come. Whoa to anyone that lacks faith, and yet at Christ return finds joy and peace. John Baptist promised and his coming was a time of joy. Zachariah message received was hope.

Dear Heavenly Father, help us to receive the message of hope not only in our hearts but our minds and soul. Help us to believe without doubt what your word speaks of Christ coming, about the things told to us by your Spirit of events in our own life. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: Ezekiel 3:22-27 KJV
22 And the hand of the LORD was there upon me; and he said unto me, Arise, go forth into the plain, and I will there talk with thee.
23 Then I arose, and went forth into the plain: and, behold, the glory of the LORD stood there, as the glory which I saw by the river of Chebar: and I fell on my face.
24 Then the spirit entered into me, and set me upon my feet, and spake with me, and said unto me, Go, shut thyself within thine house.
25 But thou, O son of man, behold, they shall put bands upon thee, and shall bind thee with them, and thou shalt not go out among them:
26 And I will make thy tongue cleave to the roof of thy mouth, that thou shalt be dumb, and shalt not be to them a reprover: for they are a rebellious house.
27 But when I speak with thee, I will open thy mouth, and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; He that heareth, let him hear; and he that forbeareth, let him forbear: for they are a rebellious house.

Ezekiel 24:27 KJV
27 In that day shall thy mouth be opened to him which is escaped, and thou shalt speak, and be no more dumb: and thou shalt be a sign unto them; and they shall know that I am the LORD.