Advent Day 14
Luke records that at the birth of his son John the Baptist, Zechariah praises God in a song filled with references to Israel’s history. Zechariah’s overflow in this song speaks to the coming of the Lord’s salvation which is being foreshadowed in the birth of John. Zechariah is overcome with joy because He sees the promise of God’s coming Messiah.
It is important for us to consider that unless we have understood Christ’s birth in light of the Old Testament, we will not fully grasp the significance of the most momentous event in world history. Today as we read this joyous song of Zechariah, I urge you to consider how God has been at work all through history to bring a people to Himself. The salvation He had promised in the OT and then brought to fruition through the birth of Christ is now readily available for you to accept and live abundantly in.
Today in prayer let's simply thank God for His continual work from history past, present, and future. Let us thank Him for His promises and their “yes” in Christ.
“67 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: 68 Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and provided redemption for his people. 69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, 70 just as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets in ancient times; 71 salvation from our enemies and from the hand of those who hate us. 72 He has dealt mercifully with our ancestors and remembered his holy covenant — 73 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant that we, 74 having been rescued from the hand of our enemies, would serve him without fear 75 in holiness and righteousness in his presence all our days. 76 And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins. 78 Because of our God’s merciful compassion, the dawn from on high will visit us 79 to shine on those who live in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Luke 1:67-79
