Mercy Promised

​Promise a child something and be prepared to fulfill it.  Isn't the faith of a child magnificent!  In a world where broken promises seem to rule the day, certainty is a treasure.  Following the birth of his son, John [the Baptist], Zechariah said, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people and has raised up a horn of Salvation for us ... to show the Mercy promised ..." (Luke 1:68, 69, 72). The Promised One - the Child of Bethlehem - surpassed all expectations: "Because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give Light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of Peace." (V.78-79).  Mercy alone promised is a wonder but the promise kept -- amazing still!  Lost and undone, Salvation with all its riches is free to all who believe. A confident and absolute Certainty is Who the angels announced to the shepherds. Mercy promised. Mercy made real.​