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?
From: March 15, 2015
After nine months being mute, Zacharias prophesied over his newborn son, John. All that the angel Gabriel predicted had come to pass. I suppose the silenced old Zacharias had plenty of time to contemplate the angel’s words during his wife’s pregnancy. Awe fell over the entire neighborhood as the tongue-tied priest became an articulate prophet, blessing his son. In this verse, he spoke the prophecy of Malachi 3:1 over his son, saying that he would be the preparer of the way for the Messiah. What if every child was so anticipated? What if every son had a father speaking a prophetic blessing over him?
From: March 15, 2014
After 9 months being mute, Zechariah prophesied over his newborn son, John. All that the angel Gabriel predicted had come to pass. I suppose he had plenty of time to contemplate the angel’s words during his wife’s pregnancy. Awe fell over the entire neighborhood as the tongue-tied priest became an articulate prophet, blessing his son. What if every child was so anticipated? What if every son had a father speaking such prophetic blessing over him?