Luke 1:59, 63-64, 67
So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, "His name is John." So they all marveled. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God. Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied."
Can you imagine your kids not being able to nag you all day, having their tongues tied by the Spirit? Ok, maybe that's a bad example. Imagine you not being able to utter a sound over the course of several months, not really sure if you'd ever speak again?
Of course, Zacharias would speak again. You remember the story. Because he doubted the old age birth of John, Gabriel tied his tongue. One moment he could speak, the next he was silent. Somehow God always has a way of letting you know he means business, even if it is somewhat humorous when we look back in hind sight. I bet even Gabriel thought this one would make a good story back around the angel campfire one summer's eve!
Notice what happened once Zacharias let everyone know he was going with God's name for the child. In the touch of the Spirit, his tongue was loosed and he couldn't but help praise the Lord! I love that. When the Spirit touches a life, he loosens our tongues to praise God. What a glorious blessing for every believer, that of speaking the name of Jesus as the Spirit loosens our tongues.
Some of us need to have our tongues loosed. We've kept our mouths shut for too long when God simply wants to hear us bless his name. Or we've held our voices in the face of injustice, or chose not to get involved in the struggles of others. Lord, loose our tongues!
I hope God never has to get my attention by striking my life, but he has to do so, may he be as gentle with me as he was with old Zacharias!
LORD JESUS
Loose my tongue. Form the words of my lips. Utter the words you would have me to say. Amen.
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