TUESDAY December 21, 2021
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, but he also prophesied. He spoke of God’s visitation among His people—Israel. Their Messiah, the Horn of Salvation, would come through the household of David (Psalm 132:17). Zacharias praised God for Israel’s redemption, salvation and rescue from their enemies. God’s promises were well- known among Israel. They had been spoken by His prophets since the beginning of the world.
God, in His mercy, would perform these ancient promises that He swore to their father Abraham. There was great hope among the people of Israel that they would be delivered from the hands of their enemies. They looked to the day when they could serve the Lord without fear––in holiness––all the days of their lives (Luke 1:72-75).
Now was the time to see the prophecy’s fulfillment. John the Baptist’s sole purpose would be preparing the way for the Messiah. He was to be a witness to Jesus––the Light of the World:
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world (John 1:6-9).
Are you walking in spiritual darkness? Leave your life of sin, and walk in the Light of Christ.
The cross is the lightening rod of grace that short circuits God’s wrath to Christ so that only the light of His love remains for believers.
~A.W. Tozer~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
