Devotionals by Raul Ries

FRIDAY December 19, 2025

A Priest of Praise and Prophecy

Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people, and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, who have been since the world began, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us….”
Luke 1:67-71

Zacharias, filled with the Holy Spirit, not only praised the Lord God of Israel, but he also prophesied. He spoke of God’s visitation among His people––their coming Messiah. He spoke of a horn of salvation. This was a fulfillment of what was spoken in Psalm 132:17-18: “There I will make the horn of David grow; I will prepare a lamp for My Anointed. His enemies I will clothe with shame, but upon Himself His crown shall flourish.” Christ would be born through the royal lineage of David.

Zacharias praised God for Israel’s redemption and salvation. The Lord would one day rescue them from their enemies. God’s promises were well known in Israel because He had spoken His promises to them throughout the ages through the prophets––since the world began.

God does not lie. Whatever He promises will come to pass. Israel knew the promises of God because they were given to the Father of their nation––to Abraham. Therefore, Israel had hope. One day, they would be delivered from the hands of their enemies. Luke 1:72-75 assures Israel that God would perform:

...the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant, the oath which He swore to our father Abraham: to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.

Again, God’s promises are sure. Christ was born from the lineage of David, just as God said. When He returns, He shall save Israel from her enemies and bring everlasting peace.

Christmas reminds us of the promise God made to save us.

Light for every darkness, life in death, the promise of our Lord’s return, and the assurance of everlasting glory.
~D.L. Moody~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!