74 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies,
    and to enable us to serve him without fear
75     in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

Luke 1:74-75 (NIV)
In these two verses, Zachariah gives more reasons for salvation. He mentions our enemies again, but salvation is not just about protection from enemies. The last reason Zachariah gives is "to enable us to serve him (God) without fear."  Salvation sets us free to serve God without fear; whether that fear be our enemies, hunger, rejection, or anything else the devil throws at us.

In some countries, Christians really fear for their life because their enemies are so intent on stopping them from spreading the gospel. David wrote about God's faithfulness in protecting him from his enemies over and over in Psalms. The king tried to kill David, and God protected him. God will do the same for us, if we ever find ourselves in a situation where we could be killed for serving God. With God's salvation, we are protected, so we can serve God without fear.

Closer to home some of us fear not having enough money to feed our families and pay for other needs. Some people may compromise their walk with God because of that fear. We might say, "That one little lie won't hurt, and it could help me land a better job." The Bible says, "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19 NIV) With God's salvation, we have provision, so we can serve God without fear.

Many of us fear rejection. This one can sneak up on us. God will prompt us to tell someone the gospel, and we do not because we are afraid they will be offended and no longer talk to us. Someone asks us to do something that we don't think is right. We want to keep their friendship, so we do it. Remember, the stone that was rejected became the cornerstone (Psalm 118:22). Jesus was rejected, so we would be accepted into the family of God. With God's salvation, we are accepted, so we can serve God without fear.

Who Jesus sets free is free indeed (John 8:36). Because of Jesus we are free from our enemies and from fear. We are free from fear of enemies, fear of hunger, fear of rejection, or any other fear. With God's salvation we can serve Him without fear!

Tomorrow's reading is Luke 1:76-78.




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