Breaking the Silence

A Father's Wisdom:

Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. (Luke 1:64, 67, 68 NIV)


Zechariah was a non-descipt man. Nothing fancy, just faithful. He served God faithfully, acting as a priest before God. As he offered the incense before the Lord one day his life profoundly changed. Words changed his future. With words his future was set on a direction that would ultimately bring great joy and delight to him and to the whole world. Yes, an angel spoke and spoke to an area of need. Yes, a need in his life and more importantly, a need for the whole world. John was without child and the world was without a savior. With the birth of his son would come his own child and for the world, a forerunner to the savior. Zechariah heard the promise and after a few appropriately placed questions by this faithful priest, he ceased to speak.


John stopped speaking. God shut his mouth, he was silent. He spoke his whole life but was now mute. He said bye to his wife just weeks before, now he would not great her again for nearly a year. He entered the temple speaking and left silent. This silence did in fact change and transform this man of God. For he entered this silence in questions and unbelief, but left the prison of this silence it in a symphony of praise. For while his mouth was silent his heart became filled with the Holy Spirit. Let's look to our text for the disclosure of a powerful principle for breaking the silence of unbelief.


"Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God". First things are important. In fact, first things often reveal what is the essence of the rest. A first firsts of sorts. What is done first suggests a aspect of priority. In studying this text one is deeply impressed by what is in the heart of Zechariah and indicated by his first response. When his year long silence was broken, what came out? The text informs us that he began to speak, praising God. That was it, instead of questions came praise. Instead of confusion came honor and worship. Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and as a consequence, he began to praise the Lord.


This connection between the Holy Spirit infilling and praise is reminiscent of Paul's writings where he said, Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, (Ephesians 5:18, 19 NIV). Being filled with the Holy Spirit causes one to praise the God of the Universe. Out of this infilling comes the desire and interest to praise. That was true in Zechariah's day and it is true in ours.


So first things first. Our silence of unbelief and questioning must be ended with praise. Our first response should be with praise. That honor to God be first is the goal. How often do we miss the exercise of faith that can easily be expressed with praise. To honor God means put him first in the midst of whatever situation we may encounter. Praise must break the silence of unbelief. Like Zechariah praise should come first.