Merry Christmas! Today’s devotionals took me through stories of the future glory of Jerusalem, the future destruction of Babylon, and a poignant Psalm of David. Let’s dive right into Zechariah 8.
Once again, Zechariah receives the words from God, “My love for Mount Zion is passionate and strong” (Zechariah 8:2). And the words go on that God is “consumed with passion for Jerusalem”. I just want to reflect a couple seconds on how the infinite God is consumed with passion for His holy city. It’s not just not a preoccupation, but it actually consumes the infinite fountain of life. And that same love came down to Earth on Christmas day.
“All this may seem impossible to you now, a small remnant of God’s people. But is it impossible for me? says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” – Zechariah 8:6. There are definitely times in my life when I wonder how everything is going to work out, how the Lord will provide in a situation or accomplish the promises he gives me. But, as is echoed by the prophet that I share a name with, as much as it may seem impossible, is it really impossible for the Lord? The question is left rhetorical in the passage, but the answer is, most certainly, no. Nothing is impossible for the Lord.
“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Be strong and finish the task! Ever since the laying of the foundation of the Temple of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, you have heard what the prophets have been saying about completing the building” – Zechariah 8:9. Be strong and finish the task! Whether building up your own spiritual life, which is your temple of the Lord, or doing other work you’ve been called to, you are encouraged to be strong and finish the task you’ve been set to and started.
Zechariah 8:21 talks of a future time when “the people of one city will say to the people of another, ‘Come with us to Jerusalem to ask the Lord to bless us. Let’s worship the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. I’m determined to go’” I was struck by this verse just by the determination of people from different cities to go and pursue God and worship. A determination that stretches across municipal lines and inspires people to go right to where God is. I hope this is a determination we can aim to have in the broad metaphorical sense of being determined to go where God is and worship Him.
In the middle of Revelation 16 there is a nice little verse, Revelation 16:15, that is tucked into a story about three frog shaped demons. In my Bible, this verse is curiously indented and in quotations, but for no apparent reason. The verse reads “Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.” The message, which is important enough to be set apart and interjected into a seemingly unrelated story, is one of being prepared. Do you have everything ready to leave the earth now with no regrets, or is there something you haven’t yet accomplished for the kingdom that you need to? Are you prepared in heart and mind for the return of Christ or the meeting of him face to face? Rhetorical questions to chew on…
Psalm 144, the Psalm I went through today, focused on wanting to be rescued by God so we can flourish. Although we don’t deserve it, we have hope in our loving ally and fortress, tower of safety and rescuer, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. I want to finish today’s thoughts with the end of that Psalm, verse 15, “Yes, joyful are those who live like this! Joyful indeed are those whose God is the Lord.” In a season about joy, have the Lord as the God of your life and have the joy David writes about here.
I hope that your Christmas was a great celebration, and even if it was not, I hope that you remembered the reason for the season, the birth of Jesus Christ!
-Zachariah