The Song of an Old Man

Luke 1:67-79

We have looked at the song of Elizabeth sung by a gray-haired pregnant lady who had long given up the possibility of birthing a child. We listened as she praised Mary and lifted her above all other women of human history. We listened to Mary speak from her newly elevated position to raise the Lord even higher. Today, we return for a message from the couple advanced in years.

For the nine months of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, her husband Zacharias said nothing. His lips had been divinely sealed by God. Everyone knew that something was up. Elizabeth hid herself for the first five months of her pregnancy, but when she finally came out of seclusion, everybody knew what was up, and why Zacharias could not speak. This brought fear upon those who knew them (Lk. 1:65).

When Zacharias finally does speak, he says a mouthful. This is one of the exceptionally beautiful expressions of praise that is given at the birth of Jesus. He speaks of the horn of salvation and the house of David. He identifies the mercy of God and the victory of God’s chosen over their enemies. He speaks of the forgiveness of sins and the assurance of His guidance in our lives. But, perhaps most importantly of all, he identifies in simple language the purpose and meaning of life. We have been made to serve God, and when we engage our life in service to Him, we find the secret joy of eternal fulfillment known by so few.

Time is lived on a conveyor belt of human experience. Nothing we experience can ever be experienced a second time. Everything is different the second time. Opportunities come just once; similar opportunities are never the same as those opportunities they resemble. Time, and the knowledge it hides, creates a field where we live by trust in the One Who lives above the handicaps of time and space. God gives us the opportunity to love Him through our trust. It is impossible to please Him without trust (Heb. 11:6).

Against the backdrop of an older woman holding her newly born son, and a young woman without a husband looking on in the primitive stages of her pregnancy, we listen to the old man lift God in His goodness for all to see. Tucked in the secluded, rather obscure village near Jerusalem comes the voice that will be heard down through the centuries, even into the twenty-first century.

It is highly probable that this old couple did not live long enough to see their son pave the road for the Messiah. People who live by faith, however, do not need sight to survive. Their joy was full in just being this close. Their hearts were overflowing with pleasures that exceeded the descriptive limitations of language. Everyone who ever lived and loved God looked forward to the time they were experiencing. They knew full well how honored they were to be where they were.

The Song of an Old Man

Luke 1:67-79

Doing mercy and remembering promises

Giving with purpose

Preparing to give

4. Supplying confidence