Luke 1:72-75
To show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

Recorded in Genesis 22:16-18, “I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”

In this oath to Abraham God promised the enemies of Abraham’s descendants would be subdued and that blessing to his descendants would result from Abraham’s obedience.

God keeps his promises, “You will be true to Jacob, and show mercy to Abraham, as you pledged on oath to our fathers in days long ago” (Micah 7:20).

The future fulfillment of these promises means opportunity for God’s people to serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him. Zechariah must have thought God would now rescue His people from the hands of the oppressors in Israel.

Luke, in his Gospel and in the book of Acts, shows us how God will carry out this promise to His people. Zechariah knew the purpose of God’s rescue; so that people might truly serve Him.

Our purpose should be as true as Zechariah’s; to serve God both in our worship of Him and in our daily obedience!

It is good to apply this song to ourselves and ask how much we have participated in these great blessings.

Are we experiencing this daily salvation from our spiritual enemies who hate us?

Do we serve God without the slavish fear of the serf, and with the loyal allegiance of the child?

Are all our days characterized by holiness toward God and righteousness toward man?