An Oath to Abraham

Luke 1:73-75 - This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hands of our enemies, free to worship him without fear; holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.

Thoughts:  In our society there are many oaths that are taken by people at different times. When a politician takes office they swear an oath to serve the people, Boy scouts take a similar oath. Someone testifying in court takes an oath to tell the truth. In each case we are making a promise to our peers and authorities to undertake a duty to the best of our ability.

In the Gospel reading above God is making an oath to Abraham and the Jewish people. He is promising to set them free from their enemies where they will be free to worship him without fear. In their time punishment and death were a very real possibility if they worshiped and followed God. We know from history that God did indeed free them.

This promise of freedom through God is just as relevant for us today as it has ever been. As we go through this Lenten season I have been reflecting on just who are our enemies?  Most of us do not have to fear physical death but we have very real enemies. I look at all of the addictions that are rampant in our society today. Drugs, alcohol, pornography, money, and consumerism just to name a few. I have had issues with most of these but just as God came to set Abraham's people free, he comes to set me free also. 

I have been set free! And now, I worship him without fear and by the mercy of God I hope to stay holy and righteous in his sight all the days of my life. May we have the courage to let go of those enemies already conquered for us this Lent.

Amen!