Luke 1:68-70 records the only recorded prophetic utterance of Zacharias, the father of John-the-Baptist. Zacharias was a priest; a spiritual leader in Israel. So people respected what he had to say. In the heart of his prophetic utterance is a jewel of a statement, “To grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear” (Luke 1:74).
This prophecy was especially comforting to the nation of Israel. For a period of 400 years there had been no prophetic word from heaven. Not a sound! For nearly 600 years, the Jews had prayed for deliverance from their enemies: first Babylon, then Medo-Persia, followed by Greece, and finally Rome. They longed for a savior. Little did they know the long wait was just about over! Within a matter of weeks after Zacharias’ prophecy, maybe just a few months, the angels would light up the night sky over Bethlehem with the announcement, “There is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).
Zacharias’ prophecy speaks to us today. It reminds us that as believers we have been delivered from the hand of our enemies. All that Adam lost for the human race, Jesus purchased on our behalf with His blood. Because of Christ’s work on the cross, we no longer have to live in bondage to the enemy. No longer are we bound by Satan’s lies. No longer are we subject to his control. For the Lord“has visited and redeemed His people…that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hates us” (Luke 1:68,71).
According to Zacharias’ prophecy God has saved us so that we “might serve Him without fear” (Luke 1:74). Are you serving Jesus today without fear, or are you continuing to live in bondage? Did you know that according to Romans 8:15, “You did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’”? Have you stood on 2 Timothy 1:7 that states, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” Have you remembered the words of 1 John 4:18 that says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear.”
God did not save us so we would continue living in fear. He did not redeem us so we could go on living in bondage. He saved us to set us free from every enemy, including fear. So don’t be afraid! God will perform the mercy promised (Luke 1:72a). Don’t be afraid! He will remember His holy covenant (Luke 1:72b). God will not break or forget His promises to you. He will perform all that He promised.
Rest in this thought today: The same power that cancelled our sins can handle our fears. The first word from heaven to earth at the birth of Jesus was, “Do not be afraid” (Luke 2:10). The final word of the believer walking through the valley of the shadow of death is this, “I will fear no evil, for You are with me” (Psalm 23:4). From the moment Christ is born in your heart to the moment you step into the eternal home of the Lord, may God grant you the grace to serve Him without fear.
Pastor Todd Weston
This prophecy was especially comforting to the nation of Israel. For a period of 400 years there had been no prophetic word from heaven. Not a sound! For nearly 600 years, the Jews had prayed for deliverance from their enemies: first Babylon, then Medo-Persia, followed by Greece, and finally Rome. They longed for a savior. Little did they know the long wait was just about over! Within a matter of weeks after Zacharias’ prophecy, maybe just a few months, the angels would light up the night sky over Bethlehem with the announcement, “There is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).
Zacharias’ prophecy speaks to us today. It reminds us that as believers we have been delivered from the hand of our enemies. All that Adam lost for the human race, Jesus purchased on our behalf with His blood. Because of Christ’s work on the cross, we no longer have to live in bondage to the enemy. No longer are we bound by Satan’s lies. No longer are we subject to his control. For the Lord“has visited and redeemed His people…that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hates us” (Luke 1:68,71).
According to Zacharias’ prophecy God has saved us so that we “might serve Him without fear” (Luke 1:74). Are you serving Jesus today without fear, or are you continuing to live in bondage? Did you know that according to Romans 8:15, “You did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’”? Have you stood on 2 Timothy 1:7 that states, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” Have you remembered the words of 1 John 4:18 that says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear.”
God did not save us so we would continue living in fear. He did not redeem us so we could go on living in bondage. He saved us to set us free from every enemy, including fear. So don’t be afraid! God will perform the mercy promised (Luke 1:72a). Don’t be afraid! He will remember His holy covenant (Luke 1:72b). God will not break or forget His promises to you. He will perform all that He promised.
Rest in this thought today: The same power that cancelled our sins can handle our fears. The first word from heaven to earth at the birth of Jesus was, “Do not be afraid” (Luke 2:10). The final word of the believer walking through the valley of the shadow of death is this, “I will fear no evil, for You are with me” (Psalm 23:4). From the moment Christ is born in your heart to the moment you step into the eternal home of the Lord, may God grant you the grace to serve Him without fear.
Pastor Todd Weston