Theme: A Horn of Salvation (Luke 1:69)
Text: Luke 1:65-80
Illustration:
Christmas dinner table: Mom, is it good to eat flies?” asked a boy. “Let’s not talk about such things at the dinner table, son,” his mother replied. After dinner, the mother inquired, “Now, baby, what did you want to ask me?” “Oh, nothing,” the boy said. “There was a fly in your soup, but now it’s gone.”
Definition: Horn refers to the victory, strength, might of a man. The valour is our God. Jesus is our Horn of salvation. Zechariah was silenced for nine months it was a divine rebuke for his unbelief, but God always turns his rebuke into rewards for those who keep their faith. We suffer from the scars of past sins, but God will turn the marks of sin into memorials of grace. Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound (Romans 5:20). Our redemption brings songs of praise.
Let’s know that
1. Jesus is the horn of salvation
2. My horn is in Jesus
3. My proclamations are on Horn of salvation
1. JESUS IS THE HORN OF SALVATION (Luke 1: 67-72)
Horns in the Ark of the Covenant was used to indicate the majesty and pompousness of God (Exodus 27:2). So, God has instructed the building of the altar in the temple with horns. In the Old Testament God instructed Israel to use horns as symbolic representations of certain things. The horns in the Alter refer to the submission, surrender to God, which brings joy to all. Jesus conquered both death and the grave by the crucifixion and resurrection. Death is swallowed up through Christ, and victory has come (1 Corinthians 15:54). For everyone born of God has overcome this world. This is the victory that comes through Jesus Christ (1 John 5:4).
David praised God and told “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”(2 Samuel 22:3, Psalm 18:2). Psalm 133:9: "There I will make a horn to sprout for David. I have prepared a lamp for my anointed. His enemies I will clothe with shame." Because God had given victories to David wherever he went (1 Chronicle 18:6).
The “horn of salvation” from Jesus Christ reflects an eternal and everlasting reign. His redemption results in the salvation of souls in the present state and will ultimately result in the transformation of the physical body as well. The “Horn” is a symbol reflective of our Lord’s multifaceted powers. God has and will conquer every evil whether the opposition is spiritual or physical. In Luke 10:19, Jesus declares that I have given you the power to trample down the poisonous creatures and powers. The horn is representative of this perfect sacrifice. Our Lord also has the power to govern, protect, and preserve his believers on daily basis. His spirit leads, guides, and directs us when we allow His presence. He is the Victor ( Zechariah 9:9).
2. MY HORN IS IN JESUS
John Gill says that the horn illustrated as being the force used to push, scatter, and destroy Israel’s enemies and save them from harm. God has promised in Psalm 89:4 that he would establish the throne and line of David. “in my name his horn shall be exalted.” Their horn is exalted in honour (Psalm 112:9). God said, in Isaiah 41:10, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.
Deuteronomy 33:17 while referring to Joseph’ victories said that he had the strength of the horns of a wild ox. In Micah 4:13 God says to Jerusalem, "Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion, for I will make your horn iron and your hoofs bronze; you shall beat in pieces many peoples." Hannah sings that my strength is exalted or my horn is exalted in my God (1 Samuel 2:1). It is the one Zechariah repeated on that day. Sing the Word, sing on God and all that is within me.
The Lord goes with you to give you the victory (Deuteronomy 20:4). God gave victory on that day (1 Samuel 14:45). This battle is not for you to fight. Take your position, stand still and see the victory of the Lord. (2 Chronicles 20:17). YHWH is the one who gives victors to the kings (Psalm 144:10). We battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord (Proverbs 21:31). God gives victory to the tents of Judah (Zechariah 12:7). We are conquerors more than conquerors (Romans 8:37).
3. MY PROCLAMATIONS ON HORN OF SALVATION (Luke 1:76-79)
May we shout for joy over your victory (Psalm 20:4). Zephaniah 3:17 says The Lord is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory…loud singing. Horns of trumpets (Joshua 6:4). “bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams’ horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets.” The priests were asked to blow the trumpets for war and overpower. The blow is preparation for hope, courage and assurance that we are the victors.
Psalm 92:9-10 explains what the horn stood for: Thy enemies, O Lord, for lo, thy enemies shall perish; all evildoers shall be scattered. But thou hast exalted my horn like that of the wild ox. The horn is a sign of strength and a means of victory. I will sing of the mercies of the Lord (Psalm 104:33-34). We have the songs of victory found in Exodus 15:1, Judges 5:1, Revelation 14:3 and 15:3. Paul says among the gentiles, we sing the songs of victory and Salvation(Romans 5). By his strength and by his power, I can lean on a wall (2 Samuel 22:30).
