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UNMUTED PRAISE (LUKE 1:67-80)

REFLECTION

Unmuted praise is the theme for our reflection. To unmute means to produce sound again after a period of silence. Zechariah was made mute by the Angel of the Lord because he doubted the prophecy that he and his wife Elizabeth would give birth to John the Baptist. “Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” (Luke 1:18-20) But when the child was born and at the declaration of his name, we are told “…immediately his (Zechariah’s) mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God.” (Luke 1:64) and this led to his praising the Lord in Luke 1:68-79, hence the theme “unmuted praise”. “And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, (Luke 1:67-69) In Zechariah’s praise he recounted the history of God’s faithfulness to Israel throughout the generations and blessed God for appointing his son, John to prepare the way for the Messiah who was to come.

Dear friend, Zechariah was muted by God because of his doubt about what God can do in their situation of barrenness which was experienced for many years into old age. Zechariah was muted by God because, after many years of serving and worshipping God, he still doubted the prophecy and the promise of the Lord concerning his life. How can a believer doubt God’s promises, providence, and glory in his or her life after many years of worshipping Him? I believe many Christians of our time have also been rendered mute because of doubt and fear. Beloved in the Lord, “…without faith it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6) A person of faith remains unmuted and continues to experience God’s glory and miracles in his or her life because he or she has faith that God makes a way where there is no way. However, the doubtful person remains muted and only becomes unmuted to sing praise when God makes a way where there seems to be no way. Unlike Zechariah, be a person of faith and not a person of doubt. Let us continually remain unmuted through faith in God and continue to praise the name of the Lord even before our needs are met for “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26). May fear and doubt leave our heart and may our faith be made strong for us to experience unmuted praise even as the Holy Spirit moves in our barren situation and make us fruitful. Shalom.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, heal our unbelief so that we may experience the glory of the Lord and be unmuted to render our praise to Him for all His mighty deeds in our lives. Amen