All our days

“That he would grant unto us, that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.”

“To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” 

Luke chapter one reveals the deeply moving praises and prophecies from the parents of both Jesus and John, while the boys were still pre-born and then newborn. Zachariah was an older man who already served faithfully as priest, yet his words point to the need to continue serving without fear, in holiness and righteousness all the days of our lives. His words of blessing over his son would come true, even in the face of execution, at the wish of a jealous and offended woman. (Jesus sent word to remind John of this, rather than sending word to rescue and protect. Matthew 11) 

Zachariah also expressed our universal need for the Lord to guide our feet into the way of peace. Without the grace and mercy of God, the Holy Spirit reminding and prodding us, we would continue to slip and slide off the path He has for us to walk. I have felt this so much in my own life, the longer I live. Getting old, even retiring shouldn’t find us kicking back from seeking the Lord diligently and serving Him however possible in holiness and righteousness. 

I’ve always admired seniors whose lives reflect just that. Love and compassion exudes and translates into good works. I can list dozens of couples and individuals from my youth till now who have exemplified these ancient words from Zachariah. Thank God for their example. It reminds me I can do the same, by his power, all the days of my life.