Luke 1:13
But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.”
Zechariah was old and so was Elizabeth, his wife. It was difficult for them to have a child at their age but here is an angel telling Zechariah that Elizabeth, his wife, will conceive. Zechariah asks in Luke 1:18; “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” His question is understandable seeing their ages. However, his question is also unwarranted because he is asking the angel for better proof than just words. It is an unwarranted question put to God. Zechariah’s question could be the equivalent of demanding to check God’s accounts to be sure He can provide for you. It’s unnecessary.
Zechariah becoming mute was a sign of God’s displeasure at his doubt. However, God’s promises are bigger than our responses. The promise of God was fulfilled. God is a gracious God and Zechariah’s doubt did not nullify God’s promise.
How many times have we doubted God’s promises? How many times have we chosen our way rather than His way? Yet despite all these, God loves us, and still uses us, and still promises us a place in his glory. His grace is bigger than our failures.
