The dayspring from on high
Today's focusZechariah, his voice restored, praises God for visiting his people and describes the coming Saviour as the sunrise who gives light and guides our feet into peace.
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68Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, 69And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; 70As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: 71That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; 72To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; 73The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, 74That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, 75In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. 76And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; 77To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, 78Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, 79To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Reflection
After a season of silence, Zechariah’s first words are a song of praise because the Lord "hath visited and redeemed his people." He recognizes that God is acting to "perform the mercy promised" long ago, bringing a "horn of salvation" to deliver His children. This visitation is not a brief encounter, but the fulfillment of a "holy covenant" intended to change your life. Because of this divine rescue, you are invited to "serve him without fear" in holiness and righteousness every day.
Zechariah describes this coming Savior as "the dayspring from on high." Like the first light of a sunrise breaking over the horizon, God’s "tender mercy" reaches those who "sit in darkness and in the shadow of death." If you feel surrounded by gloom or uncertainty, remember that this Light has come specifically to "give light" to your situation. His presence does more than just illuminate the dark; it is sent to "guide our feet into the way of peace," leading you forward with steady hope.
AI-written reflection on the passage above. Let Scripture itself be the main thing.
Reflect
Where do you need the 'dayspring from on high' to guide your feet into the way of peace?
Pray
Blessed be the Lord God, who has visited and redeemed his people. Shine on me, Lord, as the dawn from on high. Guide my feet into the way of peace and help me serve you without fear.