“Prophet Of The Most High”

Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophesy: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a mighty savior 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.”

The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day he appeared publicly to Israel.

Luke 1:67-80

Just before sunrise, we often hear songbirds welcoming the dawn. Despite the darkness, we know that the radiant light of the sun will soon appear. Such was the life of John the Baptist. He told of great things to come.

John foretold of the Messiah coming to Earth, dying for our sins, rising again and ascending to heaven, and returning to us someday. Do you feel surrounded by dark and confusing circumstances? You can still lift your praise to God for the bright future you will share with His Son.

For the Christian, the dark sorrows of earth

will one day be changed into the bright songs of heaven.

Our Daily Bread – March 1, 2008