SATURDAY December 19, 2020
Dayspring on High
“Through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Luke 1:78-79
War had brought the Romans into Israel. The Roman presence was such an unwelcome intrusion. Under Roman rule, the Jewish nation was heavily burdened. In a land no longer freely theirs, they endured a very harsh existence. The Jews were forced to pay taxes which funded the Roman army who occupied them. The Romans were cruel. A person could be sentenced to death by crucifixion for their crimes.
As Zacharias concluded his prophecy, there was now a glimmer of light and hope among the dark days of oppression. The Dayspring—the Messiah–– would bring peace to His people. He would be the Light––a Dawn in the darkness of their oppressive times.
The entire population of the world sits in death’s shadow because of sin. People live in fear of death––death often comes suddenly and without warning. Death is something we cannot control; it is an unwelcome intrusion. Each new day could be our last. But who can help us overcome the fear of death?
Our Dayspring––Jesus Christ––has visited us like the dawn that ends the darkness. He took upon Himself human flesh and was able to destroy death’s hold over us when He was crucified on the Cross:
Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage (Hebrews 2:14-15).
Ask Jesus to deliver you from sin and death, and you need not ever fear death again!
Were it not for sin, death had never had a beginning, and were it not for death sin would never have had an ending.
~William Dyer~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!