Scripture Union Daily Guide 24 December 2021 | Friday Message
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Topic: Zechariah’s Prophecy
Opening Prayer: As I read your word O Lord, grant me an insight and grace to do your will in Jesus name.
Scripture: Luke 1:67-80
Question(s) for Reflection
• Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?
• What is God revealing to me in this passage?
Outline: Being filled with the Holy Spirit, Zechariah burst into this song of praise with several prophetic statements about his son and the promised Messiah. Examine the various ways in which he appropriated God’s word on the child from other prophesies: v.76 (Malachi 3:1), v.77 (Jeremiah 31:34; compare Mark 1:4), v.78 (Malachi 4:2) and v.79 (Isaiah 9:2; compare Matthew 4:16). Zechariah sets us another important example on the need to declare God’s word concerning our children.
Zechariah’s prophecy also reflects the angel’s message in Luke 1:15–17 and summarizes God’s salvation plan through the promised Messiah. It also expresses the Jewish hope that the Messiah would be militant and would rescue them from their oppressive foreign rulers. However, a greater enemy to God’s purposes is sin. Once we are rescued from this, there is liberty to serve God without fear or guilt. Notice what was said of John in v. 80a. John decided to go into the wilderness away from economic, political and hypocritical religious leaders to prepare himself for the task ahead (v 80).
Practice/Word Application
• For reflection: Although God has unlimited powers, He chooses to work through frail human beings who begin as helpless babies. Do not limit what God can do through you as you surrender your life for His use.
• Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
Closing Prayer
• Father, the future of this generation is known to you. Use me to affect it positively.
• Pray to walk in the power that raised Jesus from the dead.
Offer a prayer of faith in line with Philippians 1:6; Micah 1-3; Luke 21 :20-38
Scripture Union Daily Guide 24 December 2021. Scripture Union is an international, interdenominational, evangelical Christian organization. It was founded in 1867, and works in partnership with individuals and churches across the world. The organization’s stated aim is to use the Bible to inspire children, young people and adults to know God.