Your Game-Changing Baby

Becky Crenshaw
Nov 28, 2012
4 min read

There was a priest named Zechariah and he had a wife and her name was Elizabeth. But they had no child because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years. He was chosen to enter the temple of the Lord to burn incense. And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord. Luke 1:5-12 abbv.

Zechariah had been through it…

First of all, he and Elizabeth had carried the weight of barrenness their entire marriage.

Then he was chosen this day to enter the temple of the Lord. While burning incense, Gabriel approaches him. . And with him he brings word of a baby. A special baby. And his name would be John.

Wait a minute… Zechariah was an old man. And Elizabeth an old woman. Alarmed and in disbelief, Zechariah doubts this news. Zecariah’s disbelief makes him mute.

Alarmed, mute, old, barren, burning incense in the temple, the arch angel of God and a baby announcement. Geez. I have a feeling he had not expected any of this when kissing Elizabeth goodbye that morning.

Yet still, how encouraging! All those years, when Elizabeth cried out from her knees, praying for a child, God heard her. The many tears Zechariah cried walking to the Temple, longing for a son… all those days, God leaned in. Listening.

Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Luke 1:13

Timing. Is. Everything. Especially in this case.

For this child was John the Baptist. And as you and I both know, this John couldn’t come at just any ol’ time. He was chosen for this season. To welcome our sweet Lord Jesus. To prepare the way for Deity.

And no one knew this… except for Zechariah. And Elizabeth.

Fast forward to the morning of baby John’s circumcision. Can you imagine the shock and awe when Zechariah spoke these words of faith and prophecy over his tiny baby?

And you child, will be called the prophet of the Most High for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins because of the tender mercy of our God whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” Luke 1:76-79

I picture family members nudging each other with furrowed brows. Very big shoes for such tiny booties.

A newborn baby called to announce the coming of salvation.

A baby? Yes. John… .

Oh parents, the power of a word of faith!

I look at my sons and know how harsh this world will be to them. And as I release them into reality, I want them to know who they are… according to God’s Holy Word. And much like God sent word to Zachariah, I want them to know what God has spoken to me … about them.

For example, God has spoken to me that our four-year-old is “good soil.” And I tell him this, too. Even if Luke can’t understand, I want him to know…God says he is good soil. (Luke 8:8)

Our six-year-old oozes the joy of the Lord (Proverbs 17:22). I see him offering encouragement and restoring joy to those down-cast in spirit. And I really believe it will be through music. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if this kid leads multitudes in worship one day.

And my nine-year-old. He will line right up in his daddy’s footsteps. A teacher of God’s Word. In some respects he knows his Bible better than me. Imagine: Rainman infused with the Holy Ghost. I kid you not. He doesn’t forget a thing. (John 14:26)

Can you tell I am proud?

And I know you could say similar things about your children, too. God will speak to you about their future. (Just maybe not through an arch angel). And if you haven’t heard a word yet, He won’t withhold wisdom from you (James 1:5)!

I tell my boys who they are in Christ and how I see their gifts developing!

“Ethan, you are so full of joy, son. God uses your smile to brighten sad days!”

Or…”Grant, God has gifted you with such a great memory! I wonder how He will use that!?”

And Luke. My sweet boy. I still get away with snuggling him to pieces and telling him he is mommy’s

“Good Soil.”

Who cares what it may look like to others! Let them furrow their brows.

Your children weren’t born just any ol’ time.

Timing is everything. Their lives are purposed for .

Speak a word of faith over your baby today.

. Speak word of faith for their future.

And like John, your little one just might be a game-changing baby.

Reflect and Respond:

Has the Lord spoken a word to you about your child? I’d be honored to hear! But if not, tell them today what God has put on your heart! Or write it in a journal to save for a special day.

Power Verse:

So shall my Word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty but it shall accomplish that which I purpose and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11