Zechariah the priest and his wife Elizabeth were righteous servants of God. For many years they suffered; longing for a child to no avail. When God spoke to Zechariah and promised a son, Zechariah did not believe. God lovingly disciplined Zechariah by making him mute until the birth of his son, John the Baptist. Once he regained the ability to speak, out poured a hymn of praise to the God who redeems and keeps his promises. Zechariah’s story shows us the importance of faith in the word of God and the joyful response to his promises.