Contemplation – There’s Something to be Said About Silence

In an effort to be more consistent in updating this blog, I thought I would begin by taking the easy path of uploading here the various articles I wrote for our Church bulletin front page. These are mostly compiled by various of my daily journal entries so they are also reflective of my devotional thoughts, edited for better reading by others. This is a great benefit of keeping a journal, it's much easier to pull together a devotion or article at fairly short notice! Let's keep up journalling everyone!

GEFC Bulletin Article – 11 January 2009

Luke 1:5-23, 57-80

You know the account of Zacharias and Elizabeth, the parents’ of John the Baptist, don’t you? How the angel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias while he was ministering in the temple and told him about the birth of John to their family. Zacharias asked, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” (v18) To this, he was struck dumb until the fulfillment of all the angel had said.

It was a full 9 months and 8 days (being the 9 months of pregnancy and circumcision on the 8th day after birth) before Zacharias could speak again. I wonder what went through his mind in those days and months of silence …

“Me and my big mouth! Why did I ever question the angel!”

“I’m sorry God, I never wanted to question or challenge You. It’s just so unbelievable!”

Of course I don’t really know what he was thinking about. But I do know the first words out of his mouth when he was able to speak again. There is no wavering of Zacharias’ faith now. His words of praise and blessing in verses 68-69 all declare God’s work of salvation as completed! Past tense! And Jesus wasn’t even born yet!

I facetiously imagined Zacharias’ thoughts in somewhat comic fashion, but his first words present an altogether different reality. Unable to speak, the contemplations of his heart must have been fully directed to God. The insight and blessedness of such communion and the resulting depth of faith and insight is profound.

Zacharias is able to take Psalms, Micah, Malachi, Jeremiah and Isaiah and trace them to identify his son John and his role in the God’s redemption plan. Verse 80 describes of John, “And the child grew and became strong in spirit” I believe in no small part, due to the spiritual leadership, example and covering of Zacharias his father.

Some spiritual encounters are squandered as their uplifting effect wears off in days. Zacharias took 9 months and 8 days to consolidate his. John was his legacy.

There’s something to be said about silence!

Wen-Wei