There are two responses to God's promises: faith or fear. Zechariah was forced to believe the angel of God or fear what he said. Zechariah chose fear, and he was mute for Elizabeth's pregnancy. However, God's promise remained true despite Zechariah's unbelief. Throughout Elizabeth's pregnancy Zechariah's faith and joy grew. Zechariah not only found hope in the birth of his son, John, but also in Jesus' birth -- the hope of our salvation.