From: March 15, 2026
“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways” (Luke 1:76 ESV).
In the Gospel of Luke, he recorded the Spirit-filled prophecy of Zechariah spoken at the naming of his son, John. After nine months of imposed silence, Zechariah spoke with remarkable clarity about the calling upon his child. Addressing his newborn son, he declared that John would be “the prophet of the Most High” who would go before the Lord to prepare His ways. Zechariah’s words echoed the promises of the Old Testament prophets, particularly Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 3:1 and 4:5–6, which foretold a messenger who would prepare the way for the coming of the Lord. For centuries Israel had lived without a prophetic voice since the days of Malachi, yet here Zechariah proclaimed that the silence had ended. His son would be the long-awaited forerunner of the Messiah. John’s ministry would be one of preparation, calling people to repentance and readying their hearts for the arrival of the Savior. John’s father, filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke identity and calling over his child from the very beginning.
This passage reminds us of the power of spiritual words spoken over a child’s life. Zechariah’s season of silence had clearly taught him to listen to the Lord, and when he finally spoke, his words carried prophetic blessing. As fathers, parents, mentors, and believers, we also hold influence through our words. We can discourage or we can bless; we can diminish identity or affirm God’s calling. When we speak truth from God’s Word over the next generation, we help prepare them for the purposes God has for them. Like young John, every child carries God-given potential that can be nurtured through faith-filled encouragement. May we learn to listen carefully to the Lord and speak life-giving words so that every child might grow into their God-given calling.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we thank You that You have a purpose for every life. Teach us to listen carefully to Your voice so that our words reflect Your truth and blessing. Help us speak encouragement, calling, and hope over the children and young people You place in our lives. May our words point them toward repentance, faith, and readiness for Christ. Use us to nurture hearts that are prepared for Your purposes. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: March 15, 2025
I’ve been following the S.O.A.P. method for writing my devotions for some time, but today I thought I’d make it more obvious…
SCRIPTURE:
“And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God.” (Luke 1:64, ESV)
OBSERVATION:
In today’s New Testament reading from Luke, Zechariah was made mute by the Lord for doubting the message of the angel Gabriel regarding the miraculous birth of his son, John. For nine months, he remained silent until the day of John’s birth when God finally restored his speech. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Zechariah immediately used his voice to praise God and prophesy over his son.
Ironically, today’s Old Testament reading in Numbers tells a similar story involving a prophet, an angel, and an unexpected speaker. The Lord opened the mouth of Balaam’s donkey, enabling it to speak and warn Balaam of the angel standing in their path (Numbers 22:28). When Balaam finally saw the angel, he was commanded to speak only the words the Lord had given him (Numbers 22:35).
These accounts may seem unbelievable to some, but they remind us of God’s power over speech. As He asked Moses, “Who gave man his mouth?” (Exodus 4:11). The Lord can silence a doubting man or give voice to a speechless donkey. This truth calls us to be mindful of our own words. At times, it is better to remain silent, as Proverbs teaches: “A man of understanding remains silent” (Proverbs 11:12).
APPLICATION:
God has given us the ability to speak, but He also calls us to use our words wisely. Like Zechariah, we should use our voices to glorify God rather than express doubt. Like Balaam, we should speak only what aligns with God’s truth. And sometimes, wisdom calls us to remain silent rather than speak hastily. Today, let’s seek to use our words to bless, encourage, and honor God.
PRAYER:
Dear Father, thank You for Your Word today. Teach us when to speak and when to be silent. May our words glorify You and bring encouragement to others. Fill our mouths with Your truth today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: March 15, 2024
“And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God” (Luke 1:64 ESV).
In today’s New Testament reading from Luke, the Lord had made Zechariah mute for doubting the word of His angel Gabriel concerning the coming birth of his son, John, to his elderly wife, Elizabeth. He was mute for nine months until the day of John’s birth when God finally opened his mouth again. Zechariah was filled with the Spirit and prophesied a blessing over his son.
Ironically, the Old Testament reading today from the book of Numbers reported a similar story about a prophet, an angel, and how “the Lord opened the mouth of a donkey to speak” (Num. 22:28). For Balaam’s donkey was given the gift of speech to warn of an angel standing with a sword blocking their way. When Balaam saw him, the angel of the Lord told him to “speak only the word that I tell you” (Num. 22:35).
Such stories in the Bible cause some to discount them as fairy tales. Yet, we shouldn’t doubt. For as God asked Moses, “Who gave man his mouth?” (Ex. 4:11), so the Lord can make a doubting man mute or a speechless donkey talk. So, we must be careful concerning our speech. Indeed, sometimes it is better not to talk at all. As our reading from Proverbs today says, “a man of understanding remains silent” (Prov. 11:12).
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for Your Word today. Teach us when to speak and when to be silent. Fill our mouths with Your word to bless others today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: March 15, 2023
“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.
From: March 15, 2017
Can you keep a confidence?
A gossip cannot be trusted. Their MO (Modus Operandi) is to tell everything they know and to add a little to the story to spice it up. If you know someone who is constantly telling you someone else’s secrets, then be sure not to tell them yours! But a faithful friend can be trusted.
From: March 15, 2016
Balaam’s donkey was given the gift of speech to warn him of impending danger. Such stories in the Bible cause some to laugh and discount them as fairy tales. Yet, just as God questioned Moses, “Who gave man his mouth?” (Ex.4:11), so the God of the Word can give speech to whom He will. Ironically, in today’s OYB reading, God gave a normally mute donkey speech, while He kept a doubting priest (“Zechariah” in Luke 1:64) mute, until he finally demonstrated faith. Has the Lord of language opened your mouth to give Him praise? Or do you still sit silently?