Monthly Archives: July 2023

Abiding, Bible, Calling, Captivity, Deliverance, Exile, Home, Promises, Restoration, Salvation, Scripture

SMOTHERED AND SCATTERED

ZECHARIAH 8:7

“‘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;”’”

Call me weird, but when I read this verse, I thought of Waffle House, a restaurant here in the U.S. They are known for their waffles, breakfast menu and especially their short order line cook lingo shared between them and the waitresses or waiters. For instance, I like my hashbrowns scattered (spread on the grill for crispness) and covered (with cheese). I saw the people of Israel scattered and smothered during their exiles. But God gives them hope in today’s verse.

He tells them that He is going to bring them back home. Whether they were scattered in the east or in the west, they will return. These people had suffered under various domains, but now, God is bringing them home. Don’t you know the shouts went up when they heard this from Zechariah. These early remnants, who had returned first, would be joined in the days to come by their brothers and sisters.

APPLICATION

In Matthew 8:11, Jesus says, “‘And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven;’” Jesus foretold the gospel going out to all the world. Gentiles and Jews alike would come into the kingdom of heaven through Him. He was the One who would bring them together.

Do you know any “scattered” or “smothered” souls who need to be brought home to Jesus. I do. I have family members who need to be rescued. I can’t do that. Only Jesus can, but I can do all I can to show them Jesus. I do that in my attitude, my words, my actions and in my lifestyle. I pray that all who see me only see Jesus.

Today, ask the Lord who He wants you to lead to Him. I promise you He has someone in mind. He can use you if you will let Him. Just be Jesus to that person. Share how Jesus has changed your life. Share the joy you have in His Word. Let God do the “unscattering” and the “uncovering” of these individuals. He is able.

I praise You, O Lord, for bringing me home. I praise You for giving me the chance to share that with others.

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Belief, Bible, Blessing, Decisions, Exalting, God's Will, Holiness, Majesty, Marvelous, Salvation, Scripture, Wonder

TOO MARVELOUS

ZECHARIAH 8:6

“‘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.’”

What determines if something is marvelous? The Webster definition of “marvelous” is something causing great wonder; something extraordinary. Wow! Think about the things you have seen or heard about that fits into that category. I was eight-years-old when we landed men on the moon. That was definitely something that caused great wonder. It was extraordinary.

Why am I talking marvelous things. Do you see that word in our verse today? Well, it’s there. The Hebrew word translated as “difficult” in the New American Standard Bible (which is what I use) is also translated “marvelous” in other translations. In Jeremiah 32:27 we read, “‘Behold, I [am] YHWH, God of all flesh: is anything too wonderful (wonderful) for Me?’” (Literal Standard Version) The things God does that may seem difficult make them marvelous.

APPLICATION

Mark 10:27 is another great passage about the marvelous things God does. “Looking at them, Jesus said, ‘With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.’” Don’t every doubt God’s ability to make something happen. After all, He did create everything. Why wouldn’t He have the power to affect whatever He chooses to affect?

The most marvelous thing I can think of, though, is salvation. That same God, who created all things, sent His own Son (the God-Man) into this sin-filled world to pay the ultimate price for all mankind. That blows my mind. Christianity is the only religion where the object of worship died for the worshipper. Isn’t that extraordinary? Doesn’t that cause great wonder?

Stop for a minute today and give God praise for this marvelous, this “difficult” thing He has done. I am reminded of that hymn, “I Stand Amazed in the Presence.” I love the chorus that goes, “How marvelous! How wonderful! And my song shall ever be:
How marvelous! How wonderful! Is my Savior’s love for me!”

Thank You, Lord, for doing the difficult and marvelous things. You are God and there is no other.

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Bible, Child Raising, Children, Love, Playing, Salvation, Scripture, Witnessing

SLOW! CHILDREN AT PLAY!

ZECHARIAH 8:5

“‘“And the public squares of the city will be filled with boys `and girls playing in its squares.”’”

Throughout the streets of neighborhoods in the U.S., you will often see a street sign that reads, “Slow Children at play.” It is intended to make the driver slow down and watch for children playing near or even in the street. The last thing you want to see happen is a child hit by a car as they were playing. I want to encourage you to pray each time you see that sign and thank God for playing children.

God continues His promises to Jerusalem in verse 5. Now, He is telling them that their children will also prosper. They will once again play in the streets. The sound of children playing will fill the public squares of Jerusalem. Can’t you just see all the children running and playing in and out of the markets and playing all sorts of tag games or hide and seek? I am sure they had their own games during their time which occupied their imaginations. What a sight!

APPLICATION

One of my favorite paintings is by Mark Keathley entitled “Dance of Grace.” You can view it here: http://www.infinityfineart.com/danceofgracebymarkkeathley.php

I love this painting because it shows children playing, but more importantly, it shows our Savior playing with them. I can imagine Him doing that. He said in Matthew 19:14, “But Jesus said, ‘Leave the children alone, and do not forbid them to come to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’” This same story is told in both Mark and Luke. Three different authors recorded this, so children must have been important to Jesus.

How important are they to you? Does the sound of children playing thrill your heart? It does mine. I have a five-year-old granddaughter, and I love to hear her laugh and play when she visits us. She is such a rascal. I pray for her salvation every day. I want her to one day “play” with Jesus in eternity. That’s my ultimate prayer for her.

Do you have children or grandchildren whom have not come to a saving knowledge of Jesus? As much as you may enjoy the sound of them playing, how much better would it be to hear them praying. Notice that – just one letter changed – “l” to “r.” But what a difference that one letter makes. Pray for the children. Maybe we need a sign that says, “Slow, Children Praying.”

O Lord, my God, would You save the children. Use us to share the good news of Jesus to them.

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Abiding, Age, Bible, Following, Maturity, Salvation, Sanctification, Scripture

GROWING OLD WITH GOD

ZECHARIAH 8:4

“‘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.”’”

My late brother-in-law, Wayne Barber, used to say, “Growing old ain’t for sissies.” Well, that’s the God’s honest truth, lol. Some people say waking up with pain is just a reminder you’re still alive, lol. I am only in my early 60’s, but I have survived two stem cell transplants and am always at risk for a third flare up of my disease. Struggling with health issues will make you feel old. But I know as long as I live each day for the Lord, He will sustain me.

Today’s verse is the third of ten “thus saith the Lord” type sayings. God is delivering these ten sayings emphatically through Zechariah. Today’s is such a blessing. He is telling the people that they will grow old in Jerusalem once again. They won’t die at an early age due to war. They won’t die in a foreign land. They will grow old at home leaning on their staffs. What a promise to a people who are in desperate need of one.

APPLICATION

How old are you? I know you are not supposed to ask a woman that question, right? But I am not talking about chronological age. I am referring to your spiritual age. How old are you in Christ? I was saved at 16, so I’m @47 years old spiritually. But even that does not say how spiritually mature I am. I know a lot of baby Christians who were saved decades ago. Your spiritual age has more to do with maturity than how long you’ve been saved.

In 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, Paul scolds the Corinthian church for not growing up. Listen to his words and examine yourself with his words. “1 And I, brothers and sisters, could not speak to you as spiritual people, but only as fleshly, as to infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to consume it. But even now you are not yet able, 3 for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like ordinary people?”

I want to grow old in Christ, but more importantly, I want to mature in Christ. I want to grow wiser in His Word. I want to know others can come to me for godly advice. The only thing I want to lean on is His Word and His Truth. Everything else will just crumble beneath my hands. So, I ask you again, how old are you?

When we walk with the Lord in the light of his word, what a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey. 

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Bible, Lies, Lying, Obedience, Scripture, Trust, Truth

CITY OF TRUTH

ZECHARIAH 8:3

“‘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.”’”

In America for decades, everyone who was sworn in during a court proceeding was asked to “tell the truth and nothing but the truth so help you God.” Over the past couple of decades many courts have dropped that last phrase “so help you God.” They have no idea what they have done. There is no truth outside of God’s truth. Left to their own devices, people will tell their truth. That is not necessarily the same as God’s truth.

In today’s verse, God calls Jerusalem “the City of Truth.” What does that mean? Well, Albert Barnes gives us a great opinion on that. He says, “Truth embraces everything opposite to untruth; faithfulness, as opposed to faithlessness; sincerity, as opposed to simulation; veracity, as opposed to falsehood; honesty, as opposed to untruth in act; truth of religion or faith, as opposed to untrue doctrine.” He goes on to quote Dionysius who said, “It shall be called the city of truth, that is, of the True God or of truth of life, doctrine, and justice. It is chiefly verified by the Coming of Christ, who often preached in Jerusalem, in whom the city afterward believed.” Pretty good, huh?

APPLICATON

How do you apply this verse to your everyday life? Just tell the truth. Nothing is as clean as the truth. If you always tell the truth, you have nothing to hide. You don’t have to remember what lie you told in order to not get exposed. Jesus tells us in John 8:31b-32, “‘If you continue in My word, then you are truly My disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’”

You see, the simple answer is if you know the Word, you will know the truth. Period! Exclamation mark! Our problem today is so few are really interested in knowing the Word. So many Christians leave their Bible on a shelf Monday through Saturday and then pick it up, dust it off and bring it to church on Sunday. You have to apply the Word to your everyday life.

In the ministry I am serving (Every Man A Warrior), we teach our men how to study the Word but more importantly how to apply it to their lives. Memorizing, meditating and then applying God’s Word will make you into a “City of Truth.” People will be drawn to your wisdom. One of my favorite verses in found in Malachi 2:7. “For the lips of a priest should maintain knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the LORD of armies.” You are that messenger!

Lord, show me Your truth and nothing else. I know I can trust it.

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Attitude, Bible, Bitterness, Envy, Jealousy, Passion, Scripture, Zealous

JEALOUSY

ZECHARIAH 8:2

“‘The LORD of armies says this: “I am exceedingly jealous for Zion, yes, with great wrath I am jealous for her.”’” 

Man, I can remember getting jealous about some things in my life. When I was a young teen, I remember getting jealous over girls. I remember being jealous over a friend’s new car. I remember being jealous about someone else’s job. Jealousy in these areas will eat at you and cause you to be bitter or resentful.

That is NOT the kind of jealousy we are looking at today in Zechariah 8:2. God says, “I am exceedingly jealous…” If that was meant in the same way I mentioned earlier, we would have a terrible God. But that is not what this word means here. Perhaps it is better translated as “zealous.” God is overwhelmed with love for Zion, for the people of Israel. He will defend the people with whatever it takes. They are His, and no one can take them away.

APPLICATION

What are you that zealous or jealous about? What drives your passion? What good thing in your life has God given you which you have that kind of passion for? Let me name a few and see if they fit you. How about your children (if you have some)? Would you consider yourself protective of them to the point of being zealous? You know what they say about a mama bear and her cubs. My wife would defend our kids to her death.

Are you jealous over your time with God? Do you set aside time every day to be with Him? I mean, nothing disrupts that time. I can relate to that. My time with the Lord is very important to me. I had never really thought about it being a jealousy, but it is – in a good way. Matthew 6:33 tells us to seek Him first and His righteousness. Are you doing that?

The next time you get jealous (in a bad way) over something, stop yourself and ask if this thing you are so jealous about has any eternal value. Those are the things we need to be jealous about. Those are the things that matter. Jealousy can be a good thing. Just look at our God.

I want to show just how jealous I am over You, my Lord. I seek You with all my heart.

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Abundance, Bible, Blessing, Calling, Encouragement, Gospel, Harvest, Messages, Scripture

GOOD NEWS COMING

ZECHARIAH 8:1

“Then the word of the LORD of armies came, saying,” 

Don’t you just love it when you get good news? Maybe you were just notified that you are getting that promotion that you have been praying about. Perhaps you were just told by the doctor that you are expecting after years of trying to get pregnant. Just fill in the blank. We all have those stories. Well, Zechariah is about to get some good news from the Lord. I bet he is so excited.

This verse, by itself, is pretty plain and not very exciting. But the excitement comes in what is coming. Every time the Lord talks it is exciting, isn’t it? Whether He is delivering words of judgment or words of blessing, it is exciting. Zechariah is ready to hear the Lord. How do I know that? Because every time the Lord speaks, Zechariah is listening. He was waiting for the Lord to tell him the next message he is to deliver.

APPLICATION

Take a peek at the whole 8th chapter. It is so encouraging to see the good news for Israel. Don’t you feel the same way about the good news of the Gospel of Christ? We have had such good news given to us. Why aren’t we more like Zechariah, sharing the good news with the people?

Probably one of the most familiar verses about this is found in Acts 1:8. “‘but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.’” Are you doing that? Are you being that witness wherever you go?

Romans 10:13-4 tells us, “13for “EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.” 14 How then are they to call on Him in whom they have not believed? How are they to believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher?” We must be the feet of Jesus. We must spread the good news. Listen for God’s message, telling you to whom and how to share it.

Thank You, Lord, for sending me the good news all those years ago. Give me opportunities to share it to others.

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Affliction, Battles, Bible, Confession, Defeat, Exile, Forgiveness, God's Will, Holy Spirit, Judgment, Obedience, Persecution, Restoration, Scripture

NO TRAFFIC

ZECHARIAH 7:14

“‘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.’”

No traffic sounds good, doesn’t it? I live in a city where we have daily traffic jams. One spot in particular causes daily delays. They have attempted to correct that spot and improve the flow of traffic, but it really hasn’t helped a lot. But traffic congestion can also mean that many people are coming to your area or at least coming through it. It helps the economy which in turn helps your community.

God promises the traffic will stop in Israel. He says, “so that no one went back and forth.” Because of their unrepentant sins, God “scattered them…among all the nations.” They were led into exile by foreign invaders. Their land would be left desolate. There would cease to be any reason to come to that land because everything of value was gone.

APPLICATION

Has your life been left desolate because of your sin? There is hope in Jesus. He can restore that which was lost. He can return you to a place of fruitfulness. But that is only possible as you confess and submit to Him. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

You see, our cleansing is just waiting – waiting on us to respond to His calling on our lives. When we do respond, He is there – faithful and righteous to forgive us. What are you waiting for? Aren’t you tired of the windswept streets of your life – desolate due to sin? He can restore the flow of His Spirit.

Warning: When you decide to go all in with Jesus, He will make your life exciting and real. He will lead you to new opportunities for service. He will give you a hunger for His Word that can only be sated by study and application. He will give you a passion to reach the lost with the Gospel. Are you ready for some “traffic” in your life?

Lord, lead me and I will follow. I want to be about Your business.

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Access, Answers, Asking, Bible, Confession, Forgiveness, God's Will, Hearing, Prayer, Scripture

NO RESPONSE

ZECHARIAH 7:13

“‘And just as He called and they would not listen, so they called and I would not listen,’ says the LORD of armies;”

Don’t you just hate it when you text someone, and they don’t text you back? In days past, you would write a letter and wait for a response. Later on, you would call and leave a message on an answering machine, expecting a return call. Our frustration with not receiving a response hasn’t changed, has it? We still want to hear back, and the sooner the better.

So, when the Lord said these words to Zechariah to deliver to the people, they must have stung. The Lord of armies (also known as the Lord of Hosts) says “they called and I would not listen.” Why? Because their unrepentant sin had cut off communication. It was as if the phone line to heaven had been cut. They called out, but no one answered. I bet the silence was deafening.

APPLICATION

Do you want God to hear your prayers? Then stay “prayed up.” Confess your sins quickly and completely. Name them. Ask Him to reveal to you those secret sins you keep tucked away. Psalm 90:7-8 tells us. “7 For we have been consumed by Your anger,

and we have been terrified by Your wrath. 8 You have placed our guilty deeds before You, our hidden sins in the light of Your presence.”

Did you catch that last phrase? It said, “our hidden sins.” Another translation says, “our secret sins.” Come on, you know you have them. What have you not confessed to the Lord? What is that secret sin you are holding on to? I know you don’t want to cut off communication with heaven. No one wants that.

Our approach to the altar makes all the difference. If we come as the Israelites did with pride and arrogance, God will not hear. But if we come in humility and brokenness, He promises to hear and answer. God wants to work in our lives. He really wants to. Clear the slate. Confess those sins. Allow Him to work in the ways He wants. You won’t be sorry.

Thank You, Lord, for hearing my confessions. I want to keep our lines of communication wide open.

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Asking, Belief, Bible, Blasphemy, Choices, Confession, Heart, Judgment, Salvation, Scripture, Wrath

HARD-HEARTED

ZECHARIAH 7:12

“‘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.’”

I’ve known some pretty hard-hearted people in my days. They cared for no one but themselves and would stop at nothing to get what they wanted. I later learned how damaged these people actually were. They had all been hurt by someone, so they decided to hurt before they got hurt again. It’s very sad.

The Lord refers to some individuals who “made their hearts as hard as a diamond.” The Hebrew word translated diamond can also be called adamant or flint. It was a hard rock or gem that could not be scratched or engraved. It was impervious to change. These people God is referring to had rejected the Holy Spirit’s leading through the prophets and were now destined for wrath.

APPLICATION

In Acts 7:51 Stephen gives us a good picture of this. “‘You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did.’” One of the most dangerous things you can do is resist the Holy Spirit. He is the One who draws us to the Father. He is the One who shows us the way to salvation and is the seal of that salvation.

Matthew 12:31 Jesus tells us, “‘Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven.’” The unpardonable sin! Rejecting the Holy Spirit. We don’t know how many “chances” we have to respond. There may be a breaking point when the Holy Spirit stops wooing you if you continually reject Him. Just like those “hard as diamond” people in today’s verse, you refuse to be affected by the Spirit.

I am so grateful that I did respond on that day back in 1977. I heard the Holy Spirit loud and clear. I continue to hear Him as He directs me each day. I pray if you are believer that you are hearing Him. And if you are not a believer, stop and listen. Ask the Spirit of God to speak to you. He will. Then you must decide how hard your heart really is.

Thank You, Lord, for sending Your Holy Spirit to woo me and win me. I am so glad He lives within me.

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