THE LORD’S CALLING AND A FATHER’S BLESSING
When it came time for John the Baptist to be born, his father Zechariah prophesied over him. Zechariah had been mute since he first heard from an angel that his barren wife would soon have a son in her old age. The Lord made him mute as a sign of his lack of faith. But on the day of his son’s birth, the Lord opened his mouth and Zechariah praised the Lord and prophesied over his son. With Spirit’s filling, Zechariah prophesied 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 was miraculous and so was his calling. For the angel 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).
We never know what potential a newborn child may hold. For God often calls us to a special purpose before we 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). This 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.