December 21
Luke 1:67-80 (NKJV) 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, To 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. “ And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins, 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.” So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.
John 1:6-8 (NIV) There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
Isaiah 40: 3 (AMP) A voice of one who cries: Prepare in the wilderness the way of the Lord [clear away the obstacles]; make straight and smooth in the desert a highway for our God!
Yesterday we talked about what it might have been that Zacharias shared with the people that they then discussed…I gave a few thoughts about this. Now let’s look at what happens next.
The wording within these two sections of scripture makes me think that “the sayings” and “Zacharias’ prophesying” are two different things. Yesterday, it said, “and he spoke, praising God. Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings (so what did he speak??) were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, “What kind of child will this be?” And the hand of the Lord was with him. (And today) Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied,” (emphasis mine)
If we think about this it is awesome that the story of God reaching down in Elizabeth and Zacharias’ life touched so many people and brought people closer to God. Elizabeth and Zacharias’ reproach among the people was taken away so much so that God then used Zacharias to prophesy about his son who would eventually testify to the Light.
Praise your God that you are His child and He is your God. Reread the scriptures and have a blessed day!
Merry Christmas ~ Laurie Kay
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