“And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord” (Luke 1:76 NLT).
When it came time for the circumcision ceremony for the eight day old John the Baptist, his mute father opened his mouth and prophesied over him. Zechariah had been mute since the angel Gabriel had told him that his barren wife would soon have a son in her old age. He made him mute both as a sign and for questioning the word of the Lord. Yet on the day of his son’s naming, the Lord opened his mouth and Zechariah praised the Lord and prophesied over his son. Filled with faith and joy, Zechariah spoke of the calling God had for John, that he would be a prophet and a preparer of the way for the coming Messiah.
John’s birth and calling were miraculous. For Gabriel had told Zechariah that his son would serve the Lord “in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17). And so he did. John grew up spiritually strong and became the “voice of one crying in the wilderness,” preparing the way for the Messiah, Jesus Christ (Luke 3:4).
Every newborn child holds great potential. For God has a purpose for each of them before they are even born. As the Lord told the prophet Jeremiah, “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations” (Jer. 1:5).
God’s purpose and calling should make us careful as parents to see our children as a gift from the Lord and to carefully consider the words we say over them. For the power to curse and the power to bless is in the tongue. Let us use them to bless our children and to speak God’s purpose and calling over them always.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You that you have a purpose and a calling for us. Help us to faithfully follow You Son in all things. And help us to bless our children with words that lead them to follow Your calling for their lives. In Jesus’ name, amen.