What a contrast!
Notice the contrast between the response of Zechariah and Mary to Gabriel's words. Zechariah is told that he will not speak until his son is born because "you did not believe my words" while Mary answers the incredible news simply, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said.” Both were amazed, stunned, even shaken by Gabriel's message, but Mary's heart was one of belief, Zechariah's of incredulity.
There has to be a lesson in this. God, let my heart be like Mary's - so that when You speak, through the words of Scripture, words of friends, and through Your still, small voice, I might receive them with the heart of Mary. Zechariah was not condemned, to be sure, and the miracle still came to pass - John the Baptist was born! But his lesson was hard - 9 months of silence. What have you gone through because you didn't believe? I can think of promises to me that I've not believed in and suffered through it - lack of peace, lack of surety, lack of confidence, anxiety, etc.
Let my heart be like Mary's!
Created over 2 years ago
