“But when he came out, he could not speak to them...” (Luke 1:22).

Long ago a certain priest, Zacharias, was chosen by lot to burn incense when he went into the temple.  He entered the temple, burned incense at the altar, got alone with God in prayer, and was dumbfounded.  His prayer was heard. 

It is good to get alone with God, but when God gets us alone with Himself it is on His initiative, not ours.  It is good to voice before Him the words we find that fit the soul, but God’s Word leaves us speechless.  It is good to know that God hears our prayers, but be ready to hear God.  Often what God says is more than we can make sense of.  To the divine, “I have spoken; it is so”, there is nothing more to say except, perhaps, “How?”

Inner commotions congregate gregariously at the altar until we are silenced by God’s Word.  Has He left you dumbstruck?  He is getting you absolutely alone with Himself.  Linger long.  You will emerge as Zacharias emerged, saturated and peaced. 

Author: Carolyn Roehrig