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It is His Word that shines light upon our dark pathway here. It gives counsel and
guidance. It points the way and `rightly divides' our paths for us. It assures us that all
enemies of righteousness, all evil powers both earthly and heavenly, worldly and
spiritual, will be put under the feet of the Lord Jesus Christ and destroyed. Conversely,
He will keep the feet of His saints and guide them into paths that are right paths. He will
lift them up into a wide place and walk hand in hand with us, always at our side. Though
our flesh and heart may sometimes fail, yet like Asaph we may say, ". . . . . but God is the
strength of my heart, and my portion for ever" (73: 26).
Hannah finishes her song with the prophetic words:
"The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall He thunder
upon them: the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth; and He shall give strength unto
His King, and exalt the horn of His Anointed" (I Sam. 2: 10).
This is the first time that we read in the O.T. of "His King" and "His Anointed". The
Greek translation of the Hebrew O.T., the Septuagint (LXX) reads for Anointed,
"Christos", which is Christ. We can say then that this verse is Messianic in character, for
it speaks of the glory that will come upon the earth when the Lord Jesus Christ returns a
second time, this time to rule as King. In this verse those who would oppose Him are
called "the adversaries of the Lord". These, we read, "shall be broken in pieces; out of
heaven shall He thunder upon them: the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth". David's
victories and dominions reached far, but "the uttermost parts of the earth" are promised to
David's greater Son, the Messiah. Men will either rejoice to acknowledge Him as King,
or will be destroyed by His iron rod. God will "exalt the horn of His Anointed". Every
knee to Him shall bow:
"I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto Me, Thou art My Son; this day
have I begotten thee. Ask of Me, and I shall give Thee the heathen for thine inheritance,
and the uttermost parts of the earth for Thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod
of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. Be wise therefore, O ye
kings, be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with
trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed
are all they that put their trust in Him" (Psa. 2: 7-12).
Eleven centuries later Mary and Zacharias praise God, and prophesy under the
guidance of the Holy Spirit. The link with Hannah's song of praise is unmistakeable.
Mary sings:
"His mercy is on them that fear Him (i.e. God my Saviour, verse 47) from generation
to generation. He hath showed strength with His arm; He hath scattered the proud in the
imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted
them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He hath
sent empty away" (Luke 1: 50-53).
In the same chapter Zacharias at the birth of his son John, praises the Lord, saying:
"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He hath visited and redeemed His people, and
hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David; as He spake
by the mouth of His holy prophets, which have been since the world began; that we
should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us, to perform the