There is a moment tucked into the opening chapters of Luke where silence becomes a
sanctuary! Zechariah, a seasoned priest, stands in the Temple doing what generations before
him had done for four hundred years — offering incense, lifting prayers, tending sacred routines
even when heaven felt quiet. And then — it happens. Gabriel appears. A word is spoken! A
promise is made! A blessing is announced!

But Zechariah cannot receive it. His heart is tired. His faith is thin. His hope feels expired. And
the angel — with equal parts grace and clarity — answers him with a pause: no speaking until
the blessing comes to pass. Not punishment. Not rejection. Just holy buffering – because
sometimes Heaven loads slowly.

From Genesis to Malachi, God’s voice moves from cosmic thunder to gentle whisper. And
then—silence. Four hundred years without a fresh word. Yet the priests kept serving. The
people kept praying. Faith kept breathing.

Zechariah steps into that long silence, lighting incense like countless priests before him. And in
that ordinary moment, the extraordinary breaks through. Gabriel arrives echoing the last
promise spoken in Malachi: that hearts would be changed, hope restored, and the way
prepared for the Lord. The blessing was delayed, not denied. It was buffering – because
sometimes, Heaven loads slowly.

What blessing or promise are you still waiting on? What word over your family, your finances,
your future, or your faith are you still waiting to see restored? And most importantly, like
Zachariah; what do you do while you wait?
1. Check Your Bars
When your phone buffers, you check your signal. Most of us do not lack a word from God; we
lack proximity to God. Dead zones are a result of drifting.
2. Close the Apps
Sometimes the blessing is not late — we are overloaded with too many commitments and need
to ‘close’ what drains us.
3. Do a Hard Restart

Scripture is full of holy pauses:
• Moses stepping into the Tent of Meeting,
• Elijah sleeping after calling down fire,
• Mary choosing the quiet space at Jesus’ feet,
• Jesus Himself withdrawing to rest and pray.

When life jams, when prayers stall, when hope feels like its buffering — STOP! Rest. Reset. Let
your spirit breathe deeply again reassured that sometimes, Heaven loads slowly. But God is
faithful. Amen!

Dr. Ron Bell