Memory

Readings for today: Zechariah 1-7

I love the book of Zechariah. Probably because it includes some of the most glorious promises ever given to God’s people. The name “Zechariah” literally means “Yahweh Remembers.” It’s an appropriate name when one considers the main message of the book. Despite all that has happened to Israel, Yahweh has not forgotten her. He has not forgotten her in her Exile. Not abandoned her to destruction. Not left her to start over with another people group. He is still her God and she is still His people.

Zechariah most likely returned from exile with his grandfather Iddo and father Berechiah. He came from a lineage of priests and in addition to this leadership mantle, was called by God to serve as a prophet alongside the much older Haggai. Whereas Haggai’s prophetic message had a convicting tone, Zechariah’s was more encouraging. Listen again to just a few of the passages we read for today…

“This is what the Lord of Armies says: Return to me - this is the declaration of the Lord of Armies - and I will return to you, says the Lord of Armies.” (Zechariah‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

“The Lord replied with kind and comforting words to the angel who was speaking with me. So the angel who was speaking with me said, “Proclaim: The Lord of Armies says: I am extremely jealous  for Jerusalem and Zion.” (Zechariah‬ ‭1‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭CSB)‬‬

“Therefore, this is what the Lord says: In mercy, I have returned to Jerusalem; my house will be rebuilt within it - this is the declaration of the Lord of Armies - and a measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem. Proclaim further: This is what the Lord of Armies says: My cities will again overflow with prosperity; the Lord will once more comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem.” (Zechariah‬ ‭1‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭CSB)‬‬

“Daughter Zion, shout for joy and be glad, for I am coming to dwell among you”, this is the Lord’s declaration. “Many nations will join themselves to the Lord on that day and become my people. I will dwell among you, and you will know that the Lord of Armies has sent me to you. The Lord will take possession of Judah as his portion in the Holy Land, and he will once again choose Jerusalem.” (Zechariah‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭CSB‬‬‬)

“This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by strength or by might, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord of Armies. ‘What are you, great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain. And he will bring out the capstone accompanied by shouts of: Grace, grace to it!” (Zechariah‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭CSB‬‬‬)

“This is what the Lord of Armies says: Here is a man whose name is Branch; he will branch out from his place and build the Lord’s temple. Yes, he will build the Lord’s temple; he will bear royal splendor and will sit on his throne and rule. There will be a priest on his throne, and there will be peaceful counsel between the two of them.” (Zechariah‬ ‭6‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭CSB‬‬‬)

These promises speak of honor and blessing and restoration. They refer to the rebuilding of the Temple. The restoration of the priesthood. The glory of the worship that will once again fill the Lord’s house. God is raising up political leaders like Zerubbabel and religious leaders like Joshua to guide and direct God’s people to carry out the work God has planned for them. They will again be a light to the nations and will bless the people of the earth. Every obstacle that might rise in their path, God Himself will lay low. Most of all, God’s name will once again receive the glory it deserves.

It is easy at times to feel forgotten. It is easy at times to believe God has somehow abandoned us. When we experience pain and hardship. Suffering and struggle. Trials and temptation. It is easy to lose sight of God in the midst of it all. Zechariah reminds us God never forgets. God never abandons or forsakes us. He never leave us on our own. He is always with us. He will complete the work He began in us. He bring to pass the plans He has for us. He never fails. He is always faithful. No matter what you may be facing today, God is with you. The Lord of hosts is on your side. Trust Him. Believe Him. Lean on Him for strength.

Readings for tomorrow: Zechariah 8-14

God Remembers

Readings for today: Zechariah 1-7

Zechariah literally means “Yahweh Remembers.” And it’s an appropriate name when one considers the main message of the book. Despite all that has happened to Israel, Yahweh has not forgotten her. He has not forgotten her in her exile. Not abandoned her to destruction. Not left her for another people. He is still her God and she is still His people. Zechariah most likely returned from exile with his grandfather Iddo and father Berechiah. He came from a lineage of priests and in addition to this leadership mantle, was called by God to serve as a prophet alongside the much older Haggai. Whereas Haggai’s prophetic message had a convicting tone, Zechariah’s was more encouraging. 

“Give to the people this Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies: ‘Come back to me and I’ll come back to you…” (Zechariah‬ ‭1‬:‭3 ‭MSG‬‬)

“God reassured the Angel-Messenger—good words, comforting words—who then addressed me: “Tell them this. Tell them that God-of-the-Angel-Armies has spoken. This is God’s Message: ‘I care deeply for Jerusalem and Zion. I feel very possessive of them…” (Zechariah‬ ‭1‬:‭13‬-‭15‬ ‭MSG‬‬)

“I’ve come back to Jerusalem, but with compassion this time.” This is God speaking. “I’ll see to it that my Temple is rebuilt.” A Decree of God-of-the-Angel-Armies! “The rebuilding operation is already staked out.” Say it again—a Decree of God-of-the-Angel-Armies: “My cities will prosper again, God will comfort Zion again, Jerusalem will be back in my favor again.” (Zechariah‬ ‭1‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭MSG‬‬)‬

“Jerusalem will burst its walls— bursting with people, bursting with animals. And I’ll be right there with her’—God’s Decree—‘a wall of fire around unwalled Jerusalem and a radiant presence within.” (Zechariah‬ ‭2‬:‭4-‭5‬ ‭MSG‬‬)

“Shout and celebrate, Daughter of Zion! I’m on my way. I’m moving into your neighborhood!” God’s Decree. “Many godless nations will be linked up with God at that time. (“They will become my family! I’ll live in their homes!”) And then you’ll know for sure that God-of-the-Angel-Armies sent me on this mission. God will reclaim his Judah inheritance in the Holy Land. He’ll again make clear that Jerusalem is his choice.”(Zechariah‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭MSG‬‬‬)

“This is God’s Message to Zerubbabel: ‘You can’t force these things. They only come about through my Spirit,’ says God-of-the-Angel-Armies. (Zechariah‬ ‭4‬:‭6 ‭MSG‬‬‬)

“‘A Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies. Be alert. We have a man here whose name is Branch. He will branch out from where he is and build the Temple of God. Yes, he’s the one. He’ll build the Temple of God. Then he’ll assume the role of royalty, take his place on the throne and rule—a priest sitting on the throne!—showing that king and priest can coexist in harmony.’” (Zechariah‬ ‭6‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭MSG‬‬‬)

These are among the most glorious promises Israel has ever received. They speak of honor and blessing and restoration. They refer to the rebuilding of the Temple. The restoration of the priesthood. The glory of the worship that will once again fill the Lord’s house. God is raising up political leaders like Zerubbabel and religious leaders like Joshua to guide and direct God’s people to carry out the work God has planned for them. They will again be a light to the nations and will bless the people of the earth. Every obstacle that might rise in their path, God Himself will lay low. Most of all, God’s name will once again receive the glory it deserves.

It is easy at times to feel forgotten. It is easy at times to believe God has somehow abandoned us. When we experience pain and hardship. Suffering and struggle. Trials and temptation. It is easy to lose sight of God in the midst of it all. Zechariah reminds us God never forgets. God never abandons or forsakes us. He never leaves us on our own. He is always with us. He will complete the work He began in us. He brings to pass the plans He has for us. He never fails. He is always faithful. No matter what you may be facing today, God is with you. The Lord of hosts is on your side. Trust Him. Believe Him. Lean on Him for strength. Remember what He said to Zerubbabel. Not by might. Not by power. But by My Spirit, says the Lord! 

Readings for tomorrow: Zechariah 8-14