Luke 1:64 “Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God.”

I have, at times, wished for the luxury of a silent retreat... someday.  I hesitate to call what Zechariah experienced a silent retreat though.  He was struck dumb by an angel after he questioned the message delivered to him.  If the story is written in chronological sequence, he would have been unable to speak for several months.  I can only begin to imagine the thoughts and feelings that Zechariah might have experienced during those months of silence.  Being able to hear conversations but not being able to easily share your thoughts on them.  Conversation in the home would be nil between husband and wife.  There are other methods of communication beyond speech and I imagine Zechariah became an expert at those.  I also imagine he used these months for much introspection.  When God steps into your life in such a big way, it is often a good thing to step back and contemplate it.  Just as God stepped into Zechariah and Elizabeth’s lives he still steps into our lives today.  He has not struck us dumb but it would be good for us to sit and be silent and really hear what he has to say to us today.

Lord,

We live in a world of constant noise.  Help us quiet the noise from the outside and the noise from the inside so that we can come and be silent in your presence.  Thank you for your words to us.  Help us receive them and grow closer to you through them.  I pray in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  Amen.