Zechariah's Song

Read: Luke 1:67 - 79
Personal Filling – verse 67
     It appears Zechariah didn't believe the angel's message that they would have a son, so he asked for proof. Zechariah's doubting heart resulted in his muteness while waiting for the child's birth. During those months, God seems to have worked in his heart.  When asked what the child's name should be, he affirmed Elizabeth's declaration; his name would be John. Scripture tells us that Zechariah was immediately able to speak again. It seems he had grown closer to God during his quiet time, evidenced by being filled with the Holy Spirit.

• Take a few minutes to quiet your heart before the Lord.  Are you listening to His message? Are you growing closer to God so that He can fill you daily with His Spirit and use you for His glory?

 
Powerful Praise – verses 68-69
      Like Mary, Zechariah begins his song as one of praise. He acknowledged and thanked God for visiting and redeeming His people. God paid the ransom to release His people from bondage.  Of course, the horn of salvation referred to is the coming Jesus Christ.

• How often do you praise God for being with you and caring enough for you to pay for your release from the consequences of your sin?

 
Personal Protection – verses 70-71
 God has been using prophets to speak His messages to us since "the world began."  Through those prophecies, God assures us many times that He will keep us from the harm others want to bring upon us.

• Ask yourself: When I think about God's promise to protect me, are there times when I have taken the situation into my own hands?  Do I depend upon God's protection and guidance in difficult times, or do I forge ahead with my own plans and schemes to fight against the enemy?  
• Ask God's forgiveness and surrender to His leading if this is you.

 
Practicing Mercy – verse 72
     There are reasons God wants to keep us from harm.  Two of those reasons are spoken of in these verses. He keep us from harm so that we can show mercy to others, and so that we remember the covenant God made with us. (the promised blessing) 

• Ask Yourself: How do I show mercy to others? Are there times when it is hard to show mercy? Remember to lean on God's strength in those times.

 
Powerful Defeats – verse 73-75
     God promised Abraham that He would bless His people. God promised to defeat their physical and emotional enemies, whether real or perceived. He gave them the power to serve Him in holiness and righteousness all of their days.  Those promises are also ours to claim.

• Ask yourself: What are my physical or emotional enemies? Do I depend on God to defeat those enemies? Does my life reflect the power of God in holy and righteous living?
  

 
Prophecies Fulfilled – verses 76-77
     Zechariah begins to speak to his newborn son, John, in these verses. He prophesied that John would go before the Messiah and prepare people to recognize and accept Jesus as the Messiah and Saviour from the punishment of their sins.

• Ask yourself: what am I doing to help others accept the message of Salvation that Jesus brings to broken lives and hearts?

     
Tender Mercy – Verses 78-79
    God's tender mercy will then shine upon us like a sunny new day. This mercy is available for all who are in dark and difficult situations.  This mercy can lead them into everlasting peace.

•  Do I acknowledge the mercies that God shines on me daily?
•  How do I live as an example to others so they can find God's peace?