Page 18 - February 2026 - Truth & Tidings

Luke has one more thing to say, but now sin or fail to believe God’s Word. And as
it’s about those who heard the story: “And Spurgeon used to say, “God will never
all they that heard them laid them up in allow His children to sin successfully.”
their hearts, saying, What manner of child He will discipline us. He does it because
shall this be!” (v66). He must be special He loves us and wants to see us restored
4
for all of this to occur – and he was! He and share in His holiness (Heb 12:10).
was the voice of which Isaiah prophesied Third, this incident encourages us to ad-
so many centuries before. He would be the vance God’s gospel. The incredible news of
prophet of the Most High (v76). And once a child born to elderly parents and speech
Zacharias used his restored voice to praise restored to an obedient father was too
the Lord, everyone would have plenty of good for it not to be heralded throughout
confirmation. the land. Soon it seemed that all of Judea
“Voice” Lessons was ablaze with reports of this special
child. But we have an even better story to
Let us take a moment to underline some tell: it is of a child born of a virgin, a child
helpful lessons from the two voices of our who was God manifest in flesh, who grew
Scripture text. First, this story exhorts us up and then died on a cross for the sins of
to act upon God’s promises. Zacharias was the whole world, and who raised Himself
told by Gabriel to name his son John (v13), from the dead three days later. And now
and he was certainly tested in this regard. the gates of heaven stand wide open for all
Would he cave to the pressures of family who will come to Him in faith. If tidings
and friends and do what was the expected of the forerunner got such publication,
norm – go with the name Zacharias? He how can we not advance the wonderful
held firm, doing what God called him to news about the One for whom John was
do, and, as a result, he experienced the joy preparing the way!
of obedience (v14). Here are some verses
containing God’s promises on which Finally, our story reminds us to appreci-
we also can act, with resultant blessing: ate God’s ways. Who else could write a
Proverbs 3:5-6; Matthew 11:28-30; John story like this one – an angel appears to
14:13-14; John 15:5,9-11; 1 John 1:9. a priest, startling him on the biggest day
Second, we learn from this episode to of his life; a woman has a baby in her
accept God’s discipline. The silencing of twilight years; said baby receives a name
that makes everyone scratch their heads;
Zacharias for his failure to believe Gabri- and a father who finally throws away his
el’s message did not drive him away from
God. Rather, he accepted the discipline writing tablet because he can speak again!
with humility, knowing that Scripture “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
says, “My child, do not despise discipline neither are your ways my ways, saith the
from the LORD, and do not loathe his re- LORD. For as the heavens are higher than
buke. For the LORD disciplines those he the earth, so are my ways higher than
loves, just as a father disciplines the son your ways, and my thoughts than your
in whom he delights” (Pro 3:11-12 NET). thoughts” (Isa 55:8-9). At times, God’s
Sadly, we all have times when we stray, ways may be baffling to us, but we can
always trust that God knows what He is
4 In laying these things up in their hearts, the doing, and that it is always for our good
crowd acted like Mary (see 2:19,51). and for His glory.

50 TRUTH kTidings February 2026