on March 1, 2012
Luke 1:67-75 – His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: "Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us– to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
With his tongue now loosened, his voice returned to use, and his heart filled with the Holy Spirit, Zechariah begins to proclaim God’s salvation to all within earshot. He prophetically praises God for His saving mercy that, he somehow understands, includes: #1 – the REDEMPTION of His people; #2 – the REMEMBRANCE of His holy covenant with Abraham; #3 – RESCUING them from their enemies, and; #4 – RELEASING them from fear to serve Him freely in holiness and righteousness all their days. What an awesome God! What love He displays as He comes to pay the price of REDEMPTION for those who are prisoners of sin and unrighteousness! What great mercy and faithfulness His nature displays to REMEMBER His covenant with Abraham – God keeps His promises! God’s amazing act of redemption RESCUES His people from enemy bondage and RELEASES them for free and holy service – as long as they live! Such is the prophetic proclamation of Zechariah. Zechariah’s own spirit was in communion with the very Spirit of God as his (recently imprisoned) voice is RELEASED to declare the salvation of Almighty God! All this inspired by the birth of a son, whose very life symbolized each of these elements of God’s mercy and power.
At this point in his life, Zechariah is keenly aware that the God who created the universe involves Himself in human affairs, “because He has come and has redeemed his people.” The birth of their son is a dramatic demonstration of God “coming” to act on behalf of His people. Zechariah realizes that this act of God is not just for his benefit and to bless Elizabeth. This is God acting in keeping with His own nature and promises, on behalf of everyone who will believe. God is soooo good! He “buys back” sinners like us who have been enslaved by the deception of sin and Satan! He always REMEMBERS and never forsakes His promises – He is the God who keeps covenant! “If we are faithless, He will remain faithful.” – 2 Timothy 2:13. He is the God who, “forgives all your sins… and REDEEMS your life from the pit.” – Psalm 103:3,4. We praise Him, “For he has RESCUED us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” – Colossians 1:13,14. He is the God who RELEASES prisoners and sets captives free from the enemy! At the inauguration of His ministry, Jesus quoted the words of Isaiah, which contain this same prophetic message: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim FREEDOM for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to RELEASE the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." – Luke 4:18,19. Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel! He has come and has REDEEMED, REMEMBERED, RESCUED and RELEASED His people!
Thursday:
- Meet together with at least 1 or 2 other believers to enter the Throne Room of Grace.
- Join our 6:00pm Thursday night prayer team.
Friday:
- Praise God for the plan and gift of redemption.
- Pray for the Good News families of the week: Christina Griesch (Derek, Alisha), Ryan Hackett, Matt & Becky Hakes (Stevie, Lydia).
Saturday:
- Praise God for His faithfulness to His promises!
Sunday:
- Praise God for rescuing us from the stronghold of Satan and sin!
Monday:
- Praise God for releasing us to serve Him freely without fear and in holiness and righteousness!
- Attend “In Touch” Prayer meeting at GNCC at 10:30am or join in prayer at that time.
Tuesday:
- Praise God that He involves Himself in human lives and events to accomplish His good purpose!
Wednesday:
- Praise God for such a great salvation that Redeems, Remembers, Rescues and Releases!
Prayer Challenge: Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the earth hear His voice! Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the people rejoice! Oh come to the Father through Jesus the Son, and give Him the glory, great things He has done!