Verse of the Day weekend 11/20

Through the Bible - Ezekiel 25-27, James 5 - 1 Peter 1

 

Good morning,

We've looked at several verses recently dealing with our walk and thoughts of walking in the light.   In yesterday's verse Jesus made the clear statement that He is the Light of the world.

For today's verse we'll go to Luke chapter 1 to Zacharias' prophecy.

Luke 1:78-79 (Amplified Bible)  Because of and through the heart of tender mercy and loving-kindness of our God, a Light from on high will dawn upon us and visit [us]

⁷⁹To shine upon and give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to direct and guide our feet in a straight line into the way of peace.

God sent John to prepare the way for Jesus, the Light of the world.  There had been 400 years of silence and darkness since the days of the prophet Malachi, those days of silence were coming to an end with John the Baptist.  Johns message would be of forgiveness and repentance for salvation.  This would be the message of Jesus and his apostles and should be our message today as we go out into the world.  This forgiveness and repentance brings peace.

 

Commentator Henry Wansbrough writes, "He is to guide our feet into the 'way of peace'.  By doing so he begins the mission which will continue into the mission of the disciples.  In Luke, Jesus characteristically brings peace by His miracles.  The angels sin "Peace on earth" at Jesus' birth.  The crowds proclaim peace in heaven at Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem.  Missioners are told by Jesus to bring peace where they go, to to Cornelius Peter describes Jesus' message as the good news of peace.  Peace reconciliation and forgiveness are the watchword of Luke's Christian message."

 

In preparation or as part of worship this weekend, consider the words to Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.  Although the word 'peace' is not specifically mentioned, as you read or sing the word to this familiar hymn, may you feel it in your heart, in your soul.

 

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There's light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Refrain:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

 

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

 

Luke 1

Zacharias' Prophecy

   ⁶⁷ Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:
       ⁶⁸ " Blessed is the Lord God of Israel,
      For He has visited and redeemed His people,
       ⁶⁹ And has raised up a horn of salvation for us
      In the house of His servant David,
       ⁷⁰ As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets,
      Who have been since the world began,
       ⁷¹ That we should be saved from our enemies
      And from the hand of all who hate us,
       ⁷² To perform the mercy promised to our fathers
      And to remember His holy covenant,
       ⁷³ The oath which He swore to our father Abraham:
       ⁷⁴ To grant us that we,
      Being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
      Might serve Him without fear,
       ⁷⁵ In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.
       ⁷⁶ " And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest;
      For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,
       ⁷⁷ To give knowledge of salvation to His people
      By the remission of their sins,
       ⁷⁸ Through the tender mercy of our God,
      With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;
       ⁷⁹ To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
      To guide our feet into the way of peace."

⁸⁰ So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.