These are the first words of Zechariah after a God-imposed period of silence, speaking of God's greatness and foretelling the ministry of his own son, John the Baptizer.
"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a mighty saviour for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.
"Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
"And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins.
"By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."
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What feelings, thoughts or ideas, and prompts to action in your personal life, does this passage bring forth for you? Share them as Comments or in an email.
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