Promise, Praise, Power

Luke 1:68-75

". . . to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days." (Luke 1:74—75)

 

OLD ZECHARIAH had done nothing but wait. His people had been waiting hundreds of years for the Messiah. He and his wife Elizabeth had long hoped for a child. Every year Zechariah faithfully went up to the Temple to perform his two weeks of priestly duties. The Scriptures had closed with the promise, "Surely the day is coming . . . See, I will send you the prophet Elijah" (Mal. 4:1, 5). The prophecies were sure and trustworthy, but would they be fulfilled in Zechariah's lifetime? The answers to these questions converged in one event. As Zechariah was serving in the Temple, he was chosen to offer incense, alone, the honor of a lifetime! While he was worshiping, a messenger from heaven appeared to announce that his wife would indeed bear a child and was to name him John. He would be a prophet like Elijah, who would prepare the way for the Messiah! It was all too wonderful to believe. Faithful Zechariah faltered for a moment and was rendered speechless. After the child was born and Zechariah's tongue had been loosed, he burst forth in prophetic praise. All that had been sworn to father Abraham was about to be fulfilled: redemption and rescue, strong salvation. And to what end? That we might have the power to live a pure life, unafraid in a world of darkness and despair!

 

Rita D. Koch

 

Be patient for one more day.