Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: “…Because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace” (Luke 1:78-79)
Our Father and our God, we praise and worship You. You are God "Most High, sovereign over all kingdoms on earth" and You give them to anyone You wish. (Daniel 4:32). Until the time when "the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed…it will itself endure forever" (Daniel 2:44).
Lord, you spoke Your plans through Your holy prophets of long ago (Luke 1:70). You declared through the prophet Isaiah:
"For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders...Of the greatness of His government and peace there will be no end." (Isaiah 9:6).
O Lord, how we long for peace! How we long for safety and for rest! We are constantly torn apart by violence and strife, by contention and confusion—in our families, in our schools, in our neighborhoods, in our communities, in our countries, in our world. Oh how we pray for for Your mercy and grace!
In our weary, battle-scarred spirits we cry out to You with the despair of the prophet Habakkuk, "How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted" (Habakkuk 1:2-4).
Oh but Father, there is no despair for those who wait for You. You give us the reassurance You gave to Habakkuk—that You move in Your sovereign wisdom at the appointed time. Your promises are true and trustworthy and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay (Habakkuk 2:3).
Thank You, Lord, for showing us in Scripture, the joy of Your promises fulfilled. For the words of prophesy and praise spoken by the priest Zechariah through the power of the Holy Spirit as he welcomed his own child and anticipated the Messiah.
Thank You for the promises already fulfilled because "the set time had fully come" (Galatians 4:4). Thank You for Your rising sun who brought light to our darkness, and resurrection from death.
Thank You that He guides our feet into the path of peace, bringing us justification and peace with God (Romans 5:1); even in the midst of the violence, chaos and confusion all around us. Thank You for the hope and healing He brings, "But for you who revere My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays" (Malachi 4:2).
Thank You for the promises that are even now unfolding, and for those that "await the appointed time" (Habakkuk 2:3). Thank You for Your peace in our spirit as we look forward to Your coming kingdom (Isaiah 2:4; Isaiah 9:6):
When the government will be on[Jesus'] shoulders.
When He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples.
When they will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.
When nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.
When He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:20)!
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