Luke 1:68-79 (NRSV)
Read Luke 1:68-79 on biblegateway.com
Verse 68"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. Verse 69He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David, Verse 70as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, Verse 71that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. Verse 72Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant, Verse 73the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us Verse 74that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, Verse 75in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. Verse 76And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, Verse 77to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins. Verse 78By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, Verse 79to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."
Devotion
A little child held tightly to his mother’s neck. He believed he would fall to the ground if he did not hang on firmly. As the child grew sleepy, he grew anxious, for as he relaxed into sleep his arms would start to loosen around his mother. He kept jerking awake and clutching her more tightly for fear of falling. The good news for the child was that he was safe and secure. His mother had hold of him and would not let him fall. Even better news would have been him knowing that. Zechariah proclaims that John the Baptist will “go before the Lord … to give knowledge of salvation to his people” (v. 76-77). Good news for us — not only are we saved; we have the knowledge of it.
Prayer
Heavenly parent, we relax in your arms with the knowledge of being saved. Receive our double thanks. Amen.