From the Hand of Enemies and Haters - Luke 1:71

Luke the physician wrote how Zacharias and Elisabeth had a son who was to be the “fore-runner” of the Messiah. They named him “John” as instructed by the “angel Gabriel”. After naming their son, Luke shared how, “immediately” Zacharias' “tongue loosed, and he spoke, and praised God. And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea. And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him. And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he has visited and redeemed his people, and has raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David. As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began”, and in chapter one and verse seventy-one of his book Luke shared how Zacharias gave the reason for the Messiah - “that we should be saved from our enemies” where we read:

That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;

The verse reads, “That we should be saved from our enemies, ...” Luke began with the words, “that we should be saved” or “so Zacharias and the people of Israel would be rescued, delivered, preserved and blessed with future salvation, benefits and blessing” “from our enemies” which means “apart and separate from Zacharias and Israel's opposing, hostile and odious ones who are against God”. Luke shared the reason for the Messiah was to “save” people from those who “opposed them with hatred”.

The verse continues, “... and from the hand of all that hate us;” Luke added the words, “and from the hand” which means “and apart and separate from the might, activity, and determination and control of the destinies” “of all that hate us” or “pertaining to each, every, the whole and everyone who detests Zacharias and all Israel with hatred”. Luke shared how Zacharias declared that God through His Messiah would “save” he and Israel from every foe who “detests” them.

When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we see how God determined to “save” not only Zacharias and Israel, but also every person who believes and trusts in His Son Jesus. God was purposed to bring “salvation” to mankind and to deliver people from the one who “hates” them most, Satan, and God's power is greater than any foe that is against us. There are people in the world who “hate” Israel, and they “hate” those who believe and trust in Jesus as well. God shall deliver them through His Messiah Jesus, and those who are wise will yield to Him as their “Savior and Lord”.

Next time Luke shares how Zacharias said David continued, “to perform the mercy promised to our fathers”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".