today's meditation (Zech.11) Choosing Favor and Union

(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)

(Zechariah 11:1-17)
1   Open your doors, Lebanon,
     So that a fire may feed on your cedars.
2   Wail, juniper, because the cedar has fallen,
     For the magnificent trees have been destroyed;
     Wail, oaks of Bashan,
     Because the impenetrable forest has come down.
3   There is a sound of the shepherds’ wail,
     For their splendor is ruined;
     There is a sound of the young lions’ roar,
     For the pride of the Jordan is ruined.

4 This is what the Lord my God says: “Pasture the flock doomed to slaughter. 5 Those who buy them slaughter them and go unpunished, and each of those who sell them says, ‘Blessed be the Lord, for I have become rich!’ And their own shepherds have no compassion for them. 6 For I will no longer have compassion for the inhabitants of the land,” declares the Lord; “but behold, I will let the people fall, each into another’s power and into the power of his king; and they will crush the land, and I will not rescue them from their power.”

7 So I pastured the flock doomed to slaughter, therefore also the afflicted of the flock. And I took for myself two staffs: the one I called Favor, and the other I called Union; so I pastured the flock. 8 Then I did away with the three shepherds in one month, for my soul was impatient with them, and their soul also was tired of me. 9 Then I said, “I will not pasture you. What is to die, let it die, and what is to perish, let it perish; and let those who are left eat one another’s flesh.” 10 And I took my staff Favor and cut it in pieces, to break my covenant which I had made with all the peoples. 11 So it was broken on that day, and so the afflicted of the flock who were watching me realized that it was the word of the Lord. 12 And I said to them, “If it is good in your sight, give me my wages; but if not, never mind!” So they weighed out thirty shekels of silver as my wages. 13 Then the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter, that magnificent price at which I was valued by them.” So I took the thirty shekels of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the Lord. 14 Then I cut in pieces my second staff Union, to break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.

15 And the Lord said to me, “Take again for yourself the equipment of a foolish shepherd. 16 For behold, I am going to raise up a shepherd in the land who will not care for the perishing, seek the scattered, heal the broken, or provide for the one who is exhausted, but will devour the flesh of the fat sheep and tear off their hoofs.

17 Woe to the worthless shepherd 
     Who abandons the flock!
     A sword will be on his arm 
     And on his right eye!
     His arm will be totally withered,
     And his right eye will be blind.”

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

The two staffs were called "Favor" and "Union".  These nicely represent what God desires for us.  The Lord really does want the very best for us!  He wants us to have a favorable and fulfilling life with reconciled, loving relationships - with Himself - as well as with others.

The spiritual leaders of Israel failed the people.  And when Zechariah tried to shepherd the people in the way they should be, the people didn't appreciate him.  As an insult, they paid him the salary of a slave.  This parallels how the Israelites treated Jesus when He came to earth in flesh.  And the Pharisees paid Judas Iscariot the exact same amount for the betrayal of Jesus, because they didn't appreciate Him.  

Jesus is the perfect Shepherd as well as the spotless Lamb of God who, in His death, paid the price for all sin, and in His resurrection, He had victory over death.  In this way, He can offer the free gift of salvation to anyone who chooses to believe in Him.  So easy, yet people's pride causes them to not want to follow Him.  They would prefer to make it up as they go - whatever and however - which leads to eternal death, rather than trusting in the Lord's way which leads to favor, union and eternal life.

today's meditation (Zech.10) Praying in God's Will

(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)

(Zechariah 10:1-12) 

1   Ask for rain from the Lord at the time of the spring rain—
     The Lord who makes the storm winds;
     And He will give them showers of rain, vegetation in the field to each person.
2   For the household idols speak deception,
     And the diviners see an illusion 
     And tell deceitful dreams;
     They comfort in vain.
     Therefore the people wander like sheep,
     They are wretched because there is no shepherd.
3   “My anger is kindled against the shepherds,
     And I will punish the male goats;
     For the Lord of armies has visited His flock, the house of Judah,
     And will make them like His majestic horse in battle.
4   From them will come the cornerstone,
     From them the tent peg,
     From them the bow of battle,
     From them every tyrant (ruler), all of them together.
5   And they will be like warriors,
     Trampling down the enemy in the mud of the streets in battle;
     And they will fight, because the Lord will be with them;
     And the riders on horses will be put to shame.
6   And I will strengthen the house of Judah,
     And I will save the house of Joseph,
     And I will bring them back,
     Because I have had compassion on them;
     And they will be as though I had not rejected them,
     For I am the Lord their God and I will answer them.
7   Ephraim will be like a warrior,
     And their heart will be joyful as if from wine;
     Indeed, their children will see it and be joyful,
     Their heart will rejoice in the Lord.
8   I will whistle for them and gather them together,
     For I have redeemed them;
     And they will be as numerous as they were before.
9   When I scatter them among the peoples,
     They will remember Me in distant countries,
     And they with their children will live and come back.
10 I will bring them back from the land of Egypt 
     And gather them from Assyria;
     And I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon 
     Until no room can be found for them.
11 And they will pass through the sea of distress 
     And He will strike the waves in the sea,
     So that all the depths of the Nile will dry up;
     And the pride of Assyria will be brought down,
     And the scepter of Egypt will depart.
12 And I will strengthen them in the Lord,
     And in His name they will walk,” declares the Lord.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Verse one caught my attention.  "Ask the Lord for rain at the time of the spring rain."  To ask for rain when rain would actually destroy crops would be an unwise request.  And to ask God for rain when there isn't any need would be like testing the Lord.  This parallels with how we should pray in God's will.  When we ask for anything in His name - in His will - He will answer.  

Verse twelve sums it up very nicely.  We are to walk in His name - in the Lord's strength.  As we ask God to strengthen us so that we will walk in His will, God will answer this prayer.  And for example, we can ask God with confidence to help us love our fellow Christians, neighbors and enemies; we can ask for opportunities to share the gospel message... etc.

(James 1:5)  But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

(1 John 5:14-15)  This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.

today's mediation (Zech.9) Striving to Be Obedient

(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)

(Zechariah 9:1-17) The pronouncement of the word of the Lord is against the land of Hadrach, with Damascus as its resting place (for the eyes of mankind, especially of all the tribes of Israel, are toward the Lord),

2   And Hamath also, which borders on it;
     Tyre and Sidon, though they are very wise.
3   For Tyre built herself a fortress,
     And piled up silver like dust,
     And gold like the mud of the streets.
4   Behold, the Lord will dispossess her 
     And throw her wealth into the sea;
     And she will be consumed with fire.
5   Ashkelon will see it and be afraid.
     Gaza too will writhe in great pain;
     Also Ekron, because her hope has been ruined.
     Moreover, the king will perish from Gaza,
     And Ashkelon will not be inhabited.
6   And a people of mixed origins will live in Ashdod,
     And I will eliminate the pride of the Philistines.
7   And I will remove their blood from their mouth 
     And their detestable things from between their teeth.
     Then they also will be a remnant for our God,
     And be like a clan in Judah,
     And Ekron will be like a Jebusite.
8   But I will camp around My house because of an army,
     Because of him who passes by and returns;
     And no oppressor will pass over them anymore,
     For now I have seen with My eyes.
9   Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion!
     Shout in triumph, daughter of Jerusalem!
     Behold, your king is coming to you;
     He is righteous and endowed with salvation,
     Humble, and mounted on a donkey,
     Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
10 And I will eliminate the chariot from Ephraim 
     And the horse from Jerusalem;
     And the bow of war will be eliminated.
     And He will speak peace to the nations;
     And His dominion will be from sea to sea,
     And from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth.

11 As for you also, because of the blood of My covenant with you,
     I have set your prisoners free from the waterless pit.
12 Return to the stronghold, you prisoners who have the hope;
     This very day I am declaring that I will restore double to you.
13 For I will bend Judah as My bow,
     I will fill the bow with Ephraim.
     And I will stir up your sons, Zion, against your sons, Greece;
     And I will make you like a warrior’s sword.
14 Then the Lord will appear over them,
     And His arrow will go forth like lightning;
     And the Lord God will blow the trumpet,
     And march in the storm winds of the south.
15 The Lord of armies will protect them.
     And they will devour and trample on the slingstones;
     And they will drink and be boisterous as with wine;
     And they will be filled like a sacrificial basin,
     Drenched like the corners of the altar.
16 And the Lord their God will save them on that day 
     As the flock of His people;
     For they are like the precious stones of a crown,
     Sparkling on His land.
17 For how great will their loveliness and beauty be!
     Grain will make the young men flourish, and new wine, the virgins.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Here is another reminder of the promise that Jesus was and is coming to earth as Israel's Messiah.  God knew that He would have to come to earth twice in flesh.  The first time He presented Himself as King, He rode in on a donkey which is a symbol of peace.  If the Israelites had accepted Jesus as their Savior, Lord and King the first time, Jesus would have set up the Millennial kingdom right away, and THEN ushered in worldwide peace.  But God knew He would be crucified, and thereby being able to pay for all sin, and rose again to have victory over death.  In this way, Jesus can offer spiritual peace to all those who believe in Him, saving us from the waterless pit, as well as the wrath to come.  

The second time Jesus comes, He will come down to earth on a (war) horse to fight the battle of Armageddon, doing away with all evil nations.  He will then sit on the throne and usher in physical worldwide peace, bringing along with Him all those who become believers during the Tribulation.  Especially Israel, who will have seen the signs of His second coming (those being the judgements during those seven years).  As a nation, they will become believers, therefore they will have Jesus to help them in being obedient so that their covenants will be completely fulfilled.  

It is only in Jesus' salvation and righteousness that anyone can be reconciled to God.  It is only in His strength and righteousness that we can strive to be obedient in His will.  And it is only in His grace and righteousness that we are guaranteed eternal life with Him.

today's meditation (Zech.8) Having Faith

(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)

(Zechariah 8:1-23) Then the word of the Lord of armies came, saying, 2 “The Lord of armies says this: ‘I am exceedingly jealous for Zion, yes, with great wrath I am jealous for her.’ 3 The Lord says this: ‘I will return to Zion and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the Lord of armies will be called the Holy Mountain.’ 4 The Lord of armies says this: ‘Old men and old women will again sit in the public squares of Jerusalem, each person with his staff in his hand because of age. 5 And the public squares of the city will be filled with boys and girls playing in its squares.’ 6 The Lord of armies says this: ‘If it is too difficult in the sight of the remnant of this people in those days, will it also be too difficult in My sight?’ declares the Lord of armies. 7 The Lord of armies says this: ‘Behold, I am going to save My people from the land of the east and from the land of the west; 8 and I will bring them back and they will live in the midst of Jerusalem; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God in truth and righteousness.’

9 “The Lord of armies says this: ‘Let your hands be strong, you who are listening in these days to these words from the mouth of the prophets, those who spoke in the day that the foundation of the house of the Lord of armies was laid, so that the temple might be built. 10 For before those days there was no wage for man nor any wage for animal; and for him who went out or came in there was no peace because of his enemies, and I sent all the people against one another. 11 But now I will not treat the remnant of this people as in the former days,’ declares the Lord of armies. 12 ‘For there will be the seed of peace: the vine will yield its fruit, the land will yield its produce, and the heavens will provide their dew; and I will give to the remnant of this people all these things as an inheritance. 13 And it will come about that just as you were a curse among the nations, house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you that you may become a blessing. Do not fear; let your hands be strong.’

14 “For this is what the Lord of armies says: ‘Just as I determined to do harm to you when your fathers provoked Me to anger,’ says the Lord of armies, ‘and I have not relented, 15 so I have again determined in these days to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. Do not fear! 16 These are the things which you shall do: speak the truth to one another; judge with truth and judgment for peace at your gates. 17 Also let none of you devise evil in your heart against another, and do not love perjury; for all these things are what I hate,’ declares the Lord.”

18 Then the word of the Lord of armies came to me, saying, 19 “The Lord of armies says this: ‘The fast of the fourth, the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth months will become joy, jubilation, and cheerful festivals for the house of Judah; so love truth and peace.’

20 “The Lord of armies says this: ‘It will yet turn out that peoples will come, that is, the inhabitants of many cities. 21 The inhabitants of one city will go to another, saying, “Let’s go at once to plead for the favor of the Lord, and to seek the Lord of armies; I also will go.” 22 So many peoples and mighty nations will come to seek the Lord of armies in Jerusalem, and to plead for the favor of the Lord.’ 23 The Lord of armies says this: ‘In those days ten people from all the nations will grasp the garment of a Jew, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”’”

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Verse 6 stuck out to me today, "IF it is too difficult in the sight of the remnant of this people in those days, will it also be too difficult in My sight?"  Nothing is too difficult for God!!!  But God wants to work in the lives of those who love Him and have put their faith in Him.  To believe in the Lord is to understand that He is all-powerful, which is demonstrated by His work on the cross.  

It's interesting how people will trust the Lord with their eternal salvation, but not trust Him necessarily with the issues in their lives.  And whether they are big or small issues, God wants to help us with everything.  He is obviously willing and completely able, yet He will not force Himself on us.  He wants us to go to Him and ask!  As verses 9 and 13 says, "LET your hands be strong!"  In other words, ask and allow God to work in and through us, in His strength and wisdom.

today's meditation (Zech.7) Being Obedient

(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)

(Zechariah 7:1-14) In the fourth year of King Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, which is Chislev. 2 Now the town of Bethel had sent Sharezer and Regemmelech and their men to seek the favor of the Lord, 3 speaking to the priests who belong to the house of the Lord of armies, and to the prophets, saying, “Shall I weep in the fifth month and fast, as I have done these many years?” 4 Then the word of the Lord of armies came to me, saying, 5 “Say to all the people of the land and to the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months these seventy years, was it actually for Me that you fasted? 6 And when you eat and drink, do you not eat for yourselves and drink for yourselves? 7 Are these not the words which the Lord proclaimed by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and carefree along with its cities around it, and the Negev and the foothills were inhabited?’”

8 Then the word of the Lord came to Zechariah, saying, 9 “This is what the Lord of armies has said: ‘Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother; 10 and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.’ 11 But they refused to pay attention, and turned a stubborn shoulder and plugged their ears from hearing. 12 They also made their hearts as hard as a diamond so that they could not hear the Law and the words which the Lord of armies had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets; therefore great wrath came from the Lord of armies. 13 And just as He called and they would not listen, so they called and I would not listen,” says the Lord of armies; 14 “but I scattered them with a storm wind among all the nations whom they did not know. So the land was desolated behind them so that no one went back and forth, since they made the pleasant land desolate.”

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Our obedience to God's Law and loving God's word is evidence that our hearts are right with Him.  Just going through the motions will not save us.  But in humbly putting our faith in the Lord and making Him Lord and King of our lives, He covers us with His righteousness and gives us His indwelling Spirit so that we will have a desire to strive to live in His will.  And as we daily rely on His faithful wisdom and strength, we will be blessed as He works in and through us.

today's meditation (Zech.6) Building and Growing

(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)

(Zechariah 6:1-15) Now I raised my eyes again and looked, and behold, four chariots were going out from between the two mountains; and the mountains were bronze mountains. 2 With the first chariot were red horses, with the second chariot black horses, 3 with the third chariot white horses, and with the fourth chariot strong spotted horses. 4 So I responded and said to the angel who was speaking with me, “What are these, my lord?” 5 The angel replied to me, “These are the four spirits of heaven, going out after taking their stand before the Lord of all the earth, 6 with one of which the black horses are going out to the north country; and the white ones are to go out after them, while the spotted ones are to go out to the south country.” 7 When the strong ones went out, they were eager to go to patrol the earth. And He said, “Go, patrol the earth.” So they patrolled the earth. 8 Then He called out to me and spoke to me, saying, “See, those who are going to the land of the north have appeased My wrath in the land of the north.”

9 The word of the Lord also came to me, saying, 10 “Take an offering from the exiles, from Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah; and you shall go the same day and enter the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah, where they have arrived from Babylon.

11 Also take silver and gold, make an ornate crown, and set it on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest. 12 Then say to him, ‘The Lord of armies says this: “Behold, there is a Man whose name is Branch, for He will branch out from where He is; and He will build the temple of the Lord. 13 Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the Lord, and He who will bear the majesty and sit and rule on His throne. So He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices.”’ 14 Now the crown will become a reminder in the temple of the Lord to Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen the son of Zephaniah. 15 Those who are far away will come and build the temple of the Lord.” Then you will know that the Lord of armies has sent me to you. And it will take place if you completely obey the Lord your God.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Jesus is the Branch, as well as King and High Priest.  As He is perfect and has paid the price for sin, those who accept His free gift of salvation and forgiveness, will be covered in His righteousness.  This is the only way one can be completely obedient.  And as all believers are the Church, as we live in obedience according to God's word, the Church will grow and spread out... in the Lord's strength and guidance.  It is He who builds up His children and His Church (Temple).  

We do not have to worry about evil, because God is also the sovereign Lord and Judge, therefore He will take care of these things.  We do not even have to worry about doing God's will - if - we are in His word, and in prayer, trusting in Him to work in and through us.  I learned many years ago that He is faithful and able to use me in ways that go way beyond anything I might do in my own feeble attempts WHENEVER I ask God to do something FOR me, 

today's meditation (Zech.5) Dealing with Evil

(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)

(Zechariah 5:1-11) Then I raised my eyes again and looked, and behold, there was a flying scroll. 2 And he said to me, “What do you see?” And I said, “I see a flying scroll; its length is twenty cubits, and its width ten cubits.” 3 Then he said to me, “This is the curse that is going forth over the face of the entire land; everyone who steals certainly will be purged away according to the writing on one side, and everyone who swears falsely will be purged away according to the writing on the other side. 4 I will make it go forth,” declares the Lord of armies, “and it will enter the house of the thief and the house of the one who swears falsely by My name; and it will spend the night within that house and destroy it with its timber and stones.”

5 Then the angel who had been speaking with me went out and said to me, “Now raise your eyes and see what this is that is going forth.” 6 And I said, “What is it?” Then he said, “This is the ephah going forth.” Again he said, “This is their appearance in all the land. 7 And behold, a lead cover was lifted up.” He continued, “And this is a woman sitting inside the ephah.” 8 Then he said, “This is Wickedness!” And he thrust her into the middle of the ephah and threw the lead weight on its opening. 9 Then I raised my eyes and looked, and there two women were coming out with the wind in their wings; and they had wings like the wings of the stork, and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heavens. 10 So I said to the angel who was speaking with me, “Where are they taking the ephah?” 11 Then he said to me, “To build a temple for her in the land of Shinar; and when it is prepared, she will be set there on her own pedestal.”

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Evil begets evil, but the sovereign Lord allows a certain amount to happen which accomplishes certain tasks and events, because evil is also self-destructive.  He also allows these things to happen because He is loving and just.  He has created everyone with a free will.  It wouldn't be love if He forced people to love Him.  Sadly, there are many people who hate God and hate people.  As well, there are people who just want to do things their own way, and therefore completely disregard God and His way.  

When and where the Lord sees fit, He banishes, exiles and allows the consequences of one's actions.  But one day, at the end of the Tribulation, the Lord will get rid of all evil from the earth (at the end of the Tribulation).  During the Millennium, the Lord will bring about immediate justice on the earth.  And at the end of the thousand years, He will fairly judge all unbelievers according to their sins.  

As for all believers, because all our sins have been forgiven, we will be judged and rewarded according to the good deeds we have done with right motives, which are deeds done in God's strength and righteousness, and to His glory.  Until then, here on earth, the Lord does allow consequences to fall on us when we sin.  Because He loves us, we will not lose our salvation, but He will discipline us in order for us to confess and return to Him.  

God also allows tests and trials in our lives so that as we trust and rely on Him, we will see how faithful and good He is.  If we never go through anything, how could we tell anyone that God is always there for us?  How could we know that for ourselves?  So going through these challenges helps us grow in our confidence and faith in the Lord.  We know that we live in a fallen world because mankind chose sin over God.  

(Romans 8:28)  And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.