PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 1:67-75
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“To serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.” (Luke 1:74-75)
What does Zechariah mean by serving God without fear?
For Zechariah that fear would include the response of the Romans.
But I can think of other kinds of fears that get in the way for me.
Fear of what it might cost, fear of rejection, fear of being wrong?
To be holy is to be devoted (set apart) for God.
To be righteous is to be and to do what is right, in God’s eyes.
Sin has set us apart from God, and we have been twisted away from what is right.
All my days I struggle to live a holy, right kind of life before God.
But the birth of John anticipates the birth of Jesus, and Jesus changes everything.
Jesus represents God’s grace, stepping in to help us, to save us, to restore us.
Jesus removes the fear of failure and judgment by taking it on himself for us.
In Jesus there is no condemnation, for the penalty and power of sin are broken.
I still struggle to live before God devoted to doing the right thing.
But thanks to Jesus, I can humbly serve God without fear, because I know I belong to him!
PRAYER
Lord, help me to silence Satan’s lies who is always trying to suck me back into fear. Remind me through these words that NOTHING can separate me from your love.
Lord thank you for your redemptive power, thank you for making it so that I can serve without fear, even if I feel I am surrounded by obstacles. Thank you for being our strength.
Blessing, strength, our giftedness are given to us on purpose for purpose. We are to steward these assets for God’s kingdom – without fear for God is our refuge and strength – a present helper no matter what! Yet in the face of struggle I am prone to forget – but I am learning to turn to Jesus and ask for all that I need. When I look back, I can see God’s faithfulness! I am His in Jesus!
Faith over fear.
Standing on the promises of God.
Serving Him also this day for God is First everyday.
Spirit led.
Doing His will.
Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
Through eternal ages let His praises ring,
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises I now can see
Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;
Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
Listening every moment to the Spirit’s call
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.
I have sinned
But I am saved by grace thru Jesus
To serve fearlessly
Because Jesus called me
And His Spirit is enabling me
SIN – SALVATION – SERVICE