WEDNESDAY December 21, 2022

Praise and Prophecy

Now his [John’s] 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

How incredible that Zacharias, who was silenced because of his unbelief, now opened his mouth to give an amazing prophecy. He was filled with the Holy Spirit and praised the Lord God of Israel. He prophesied of how God had visited His people. Their long awaited Messiah, the Horn of Salvation, had come as foretold––through the house of His servant David:

“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” (Psalm 132:17-18).

The horn is a symbol of power. Zacharias gave a prophecy of redemption. God’s promises were well known among Israel. They had been spoken by His prophets since the beginning of time. God, in His mercy, would perform these ancient promises that He swore to their fathers since the time of Abraham.

There was always a great hope among the people of Israel that they would be delivered from the hands of their enemies. They looked to the coming of the Messiah when they could serve Him without fear––in holiness––all the days of their lives (Luke 1:72-75).

Do you need of deliverance from your sin? Are you held captive by these enemies––the world, the flesh, and the Devil? Look to Jesus for your redemption. Then you, too, will be able to serve Him in reverent fear. Know this: It is only by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit that you can be enabled to live a life of holiness.

By faith we are taken into Christ, made at once safe from holy wrath against sin, and kept safe from all perils and penalties. He, our divine Redeemer, becomes to us the new sphere of harmony and unity with God and His law, with His life and His holiness.
~A.T. Pierson~

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