Author Archives: gonelikeashadowatevening

Advocate, Allies, Belief, Bible, Messiah, Peace, Scripture

NO MORE WAR

ZECHARIAH 9:10

“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.”

The U.S. has been at war with terrorism for a long time – ever since September 11, 2001. The active battles may have subsided, but our country is constantly trying to root out those who want to inflict harm on our country and our allies. So much money has been spent on this effort. It was necessary, but it is difficult not to think how that money could have been used to help millions. One day we won’t have war anymore.

Zechariah continues the prophecy against the land of Hadrach that began in verse 2. I love what He says in today’s verse. He says, “the bow of war will be eliminated.” The Messiah will come and establish peace. He will cut off or break the bows of war. How? “He will speak peace to the nations.” Just as the world was created by God speaking it into existence, peace will be spoken.

APPLICATION

Peace is what we all need. Peace is available to us all but only through one source – Jesus. We can try to establish peace on our own, but it will not last. Once we have peace with God, we can establish peace with others. Colossians 3:15 says, “Let the peace of Christ, to which you were indeed called in one body, rule in your hearts; and be thankful.”

Let me ask you something. Are you at peace? Jesus tells us in John 14:27, “‘Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.’” Did you see what He said? It is His peace He gives you. That’s the same peace Zechariah referred to in today’s verse.

Peace is yours for the asking. Do you have it? I do, and let me tell you, it’s awesome. Do I still face trials? You had better believe it, but now His peace takes over. His peace calms my fears. His peace reigns in my heart. His peace is real. You can have it. I pray you do. If not, ask for it today.

I know Your peace is the peace that transcends all understanding. Thank You, Lord.

Standard
Bible, Messiah, Prophesy, Salvation, Scripture

PROPHECY FULFILLED

ZECHARIAH 9:9

“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.”

“I just love it when a plan comes together.” This is the famous quote of John “Hannibal” Smith in the TV series of the 1980s. This action-adventure series came to people’s rescue time and time again. You knew what was going to happen every show. The bad guys would get caught and end up in prison. The good guys (The A-Team) would leave as heroes.

Why is the world would I use that illustration for today’s verse, which just happens to be one of the most famous Messianic prophecies in Scripture? Because God’s plan came together. Here in Zechariah, it is prophesied that the Messiah would ride into Jerusalem on a donkey. Their King, their source of salvation would come in humbly. Even the Talmud (the central text of Rabbinic Judaism) refers to the Messiah riding an ass (donkey).

APPLICATION

Hallelujahs rang out in Jerusalem when they saw Jesus arrive. Matthew 21:6-7 says, “6 The disciples went and did just as Jesus had instructed them, 7 and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid their cloaks on them; and He sat on the cloaks.” Can you just picture the people? They knew the prophecy of Zechariah. They were ecstatic – for a little while.

They didn’t get the full picture. The donkey represented the Jewish people. The foal represented the Gentiles. Jesus was sending a message that all would receive salvation through Him. He was the source of salvation for all mankind. This was not about an earthly kingdom. This was not about freedom from Rome. This was much bigger than that.

Do you get it? Jesus arrived humbly as THE KING of glory. He came to rescue you, me and everyone else from a certain destruction. He didn’t enter Jerusalem with an army. He didn’t need that. His power was enough to vanquish all sin. The cries of “Hallelujah” would quickly change to “Crucify Him.’ What are you shouting today? I hope it is “Hallelujah to the King of kings.”

I shout hallelujah to Your name, O Lord. You are my one and only King Jesus.

Standard
Abiding, Bible, Danger, Defense, Deliverance, Enemies, Faithfulness, Hiding, Neighbors, Protection, Salvation, Scripture

PASS RIGHT BY

ZECHARIAH 9:8

“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.”

When I was a child, I used to play hide and seek with my siblings and neighbors. It was so great when you had a great hiding place where they could not see you. They would walk or run right by you and never see you. You were safe in your hiding place. You could watch them running to and fro, and as long as you were quiet, they would never see you.

The Lord is telling the people that the enemy that is coming on the surrounding lands (it would be Alexander the Great of Persia) would pass right by them. They were safe. All the work they were doing on the temple would stand. This enemy hoard would not descend on Jerusalem. God says, “I will camp around My house.” Nothing was getting past him.

APPLICATION

Isn’t it great to know that He is still defending us today? Psalm 91:4 tells us, “He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.” Or how about Psalm 124:1-3? “1 ‘Had it not been the LORD who was on our side,’ let Israel say, 2 ‘Had it not been the LORD who was on our side when people rose up against us, 3 then they would have swallowed us alive, when their anger was kindled against us;’”

Our defender is our God. But you have to be up under His wings. He has to be your refuge. That means you have to recognize and accept Him as Savior and Lord. You can’t JUST believe there is a God. You have to believe in His one and only Son, Jesus Christ. Once you do that (confess and believe), He is forever your defender.

Now, back in that hide and seek game as a child, I was eventually found or had to come out. That wasn’t a permanent hiding place. It was only good for that game. And once that hiding place was found, it was no good anymore. God’s “hiding place” for us is eternal. He will forever defend and protect what is His. And His we are!

Hide me in Your hiding place, O Lord. I know I am secure there.

Standard
Affliction, Bible, Death, Failures, God's Will, Grace, Scripture, Sin

REMOVING THE BAD STUFF

ZECHARIAH 9:7

“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.”

I have been so fortunate to have never had an abscessed tooth, much less one that required removal. I know people who struggle with their dental health. They just have bad teeth. They do all the right things, but they develop abscessed teeth. If they can’t be healed with medication, they have to come out. Why? Because the infection will spread and cause more problems.

In today’s verse, God says He will “remove their blood from their mouth and their detestable things from between their teeth.” This refers to the sacrifices the Philistines offered in their idolatry. These things had to be removed. God judged them for this practice. It could not remain because the effects would spread into Israel and to His people. The “cancer” of idol worship had to come out.

APPLICATION

Is there something in your life that needs to be removed? Are you harboring a hidden sin that can grow and infect your whole life and the lives of others? God still does surgery on us today. He wants to cut out that sin that infects us. James tells us why in James 1:14-15. “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”

Sin is like that abscessed tooth. Left in your mouth, it will continue to infect, eating away at the bone. You can numb it for a while. You can ignore it temporarily, but it must come out. Sin will lead you down a dark road. We know it leads to destruction. Once we confess our sins, He will forgive us. Our initial prayer of confession which leads to salvation seals us by His Holy Spirit. But everyday sins (and I do mean everyday sins) can hamper our spiritual growth and take us out of the battle.

I try to confess my sins to the Lord daily. I usually quote part of Psalm 51 where David asked God to cleanse him and wash him. That’s what I want. I desire to live sinless, but I have a long way to go. One day, I will live sinlessly in eternity. Until then, I keep pulling those abscesses. They are painful and they stink. Get rid of them.

Father God, pull out all my abscesses of sin. Cleanse me today that I may be used of you.

Standard
Bible, Children, Encouragement, Eternity, Family, God's Will, Praise, Scripture

MONGREL

ZECHARIAH 9:6

“And a people of mixed origins will live in Ashdod, and I will eliminate the pride of the Philistines.”

I have never owned a pure bred dog. All my dogs were mixed. My last dog was part Chow and part Australian Shepherd. We got him at the animal shelter. He was a mutt – cute, but a mutt. Those kinds of dogs don’t have much monetary value. Their value is only in the eyes of the beholder.

The Hebrew word in today’s verse for “mixed origins” really means bastard, one born out of wedlock, or one born of mixed heritage. When Alexander destroyed the Philistine cities, he repopulated them with people from other conquered nations. Any children born afterwards were of mixed races. Thus, the term used here referred to them. The pride of Philistine was gone. Their nation would be no more.

APPLICATION

Now, what can we get from this verse today. Listen, as children of the King, we have a royal heritage. Peter tells us that in 1 Peter 2:9. “But you are A CHOSEN PEOPLE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR GOD’S OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”

Your value to God is not based on what you were. It doesn’t matter where you came from. You are now a child of the King. You are part of His family. You carry the authority of Jesus to conquer the enemy. You are worth everything to God. He spared nothing to bring you home. Don’t let anyone ever tell you differently. You matter a lot to Him.

I never felt anything but love from my parents. Sure, they disciplined me. There were times we did not see eye to eye. But I never doubted their love for me. But as much as we loved each other, God loves me so much more. His love never waivers. He will love me for eternity. I am His and He is mine. Praise the Lord!

I praise Your holy name, O God. I know I am Your child and will live with You forever.

Standard
Affliction, Battles, Bible, Danger, Enemies, Fighting, God's Will, Persecution, Protection, Safety, Scripture

IT DOESN’T LOOK GOOD

ZECHARIAH 9:5

“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.”

I have had some tough experiences. Let me explain. I have shared with you in the past about my two stem cell transplants. Well, with the first one, I didn’t quite know what to expect. It was a new experience. But when I found out I had to have my second one, I knew what was coming. I could see the days of nausea and sickness. I knew I would be weak and fatigued. I knew what was headed my way. And there was nothing I could do to stop it.

Asheklon, Ekron and Gaza knew what was coming. They had heard of Tyre and Sidon’s fall. They knew the invading power was headed south towards them. The Lord says in today’s verse that they would “be afraid,” “writhe in great pain” and their “hope has been ruined.” There was no escape. They must have felt completely helpless. Can you imagine how they felt, looking each day to see if the armies of the enemy were approaching?

APPLICATION

Thanks be to God we don’t have to worry about that as believers. Sure, the enemy is always attacking us, but he is already defeated. Our victory is rooted in Jesus. Our tower of refuge is our God and Redeemer. The enemy’s fiery darts may come, but with our shield of faith and battle armor, he cannot make a dent. Jesus defends us.

How do I know that? Because the Bible tells me so. I love Psalm 23. Don’t you? It says in verse 4, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” He is always with me. God has my life in view. He can see enemies coming long before I can.

That is why I don’t worry about the enemy. God has it all under control. If the enemy strikes me, it is only because the Lord has allowed him. And if God has allowed it, then with His strength I can handle it. Look up Philippians 4:13. When things don’t look good, look up. He is there – always.

Your vision is trustworthy and sure. I know You are watching over me.

Standard
Uncategorized

IMPOVERISHED

ZECHARIAH 9:4

“Behold, the Lord will dispossess her and throw her wealth into the sea; and she will be consumed with fire.”

You may have had an experience in your life when you lost a lot of money or some property. It may have been such a sum that it took you years to recover. You may still be trying to recover. Those kinds of experiences can lead to someone being impoverished (made poor). Some homeless people on the streets suffered such a loss and never got over it.

The Lord is saying here in verse 4 of chapter 9 that He is going to take away all the wealth of Tyre. Remember, in verse 3 it talked about their great wealth. Silver was like dust and gold was like mud to them. But soon they would discover what poverty felt like. Because of their unbelief and idolatry, they would be judged and sentenced by God.

APPLICATION

Our salvation should be the most valued thing we possess. Nothing else comes close. Nothing else will last forever. Nothing else will give us eternal rewards. When David was addressing Saul in 1 Samuel 26:23, he said, “‘And the LORD will repay each man for his righteousness and his faithfulness;’” That is what the Lord values – our righteousness (which is from Christ) and our faithfulness.

Our Lord wants us to put value in things that are eternal, not the temporal things that will rot and rust. Jesus tells us this clearly in Matthew 6:19-21. “19 ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’”

I recently updated my will and listed some of my worldly possessions, designating to whom each should go at my death. Now, I am not planning an early departure (lol), but I want to avoid all the drama that often accompanies families when someone dies. Everything I have accumulated and will still accumulate will all be left behind. All I am taking with me is my faith in my Lord. Will you be taking that with you? I hope so.

Father, I know the greatest possession I have is Your Son, Jesus. He will embrace me in Glory one day.

Standard
Abiding, Battles, Bible, Enemies, Fortress, Protection, Scripture

FORTRESSES DO NOT DEFEND YOU

ZECHARIAH 9:3

“For Tyre built herself a fortress, and piled up silver like dust, and gold like the mud of the streets.”

My house has windows and doors that lock. I have a motion light in the back that will come on if someone approaches my house at night. But all the locks in the world cannot protect me if someone really wanted to get in. You may have heard “locks only work on honest people.”

Tyre built an impressive fortress. Look at how it is described.
“The walls, 150 feet high and of breadth proportionate, compacted of large stones, embedded in gypsum, seemed to defy an enemy who could only approach her by sea. In order to make the wall twice as strong they built a second wall ten cubits broad, leaving a space between of five cubits, which they filled with stones and earth.” But even that could not keep away God’s judgment.

APPLICATION

What have you placed your trust in? Are you trusting those locks on your house to protect you? Are you trusting in guns and ammo? There is only one true source of protection. Psalm 61:3-4 says, “3 For You have been a refuge for me, a tower of strength against the enemy. 4 Let me dwell in Your tent forever; let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings.”

Isn’t that beautiful? You may never see the stones and gates of God that protect you and your loved ones, but they are there. Then why do I get attacked by the enemy all the time? That’s a very good question. Have you read Job lately? Why did God allow Job to be tested so much? God wants to refine us and make us pure. That requires some fire.

I don’t like the tests and trials that God allows, but I do like the results. Every time God has taken me through a trial, and I have trusted Him, I come out better. I come out hardened for battle. I come out further prepared to take on the challenges of my enemy. Who are you trusting? What are you trusting? I pray you are trusting the One who is trustworthy.

Thank You, Lord, for defending me. I rest in Your strength.

Standard
Bible, Scripture, Truth, Wisdom

WORLDLY WISDOM DOESN’T CUT IT

ZECHARIAH 9:2

“And Hamath also, which borders on it; Tyre and Sidon, though they are very wise.”

I have had the privilege to work with some very wise individuals. Some of those had great worldly wisdom. They taught me a lot about things that could help me. However, the greatest wisdom I received was from those who used God’s Word as their source for wisdom. Worldly wisdom does not come close to godly wisdom.

Zechariah recognized that and addressed it here in today’s verse. He says, “Tyre and Sidon, though they are very wise.” One commentator tells us, “The wisdom of Tyre was the source of her pride, and so of her destruction also.” They thought they were so smart, but God showed them they were not, at least not in His eyes. They were brought down due to their lofty views of themselves. Their wisdom was their downfall.

APPLICATION

Listen to what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:6-8. “6 Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; 7 but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; 8 the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory;”

What is true wisdom? God’s Word tells us over and over again. You can do a word search of the word “wisdom” in a good Bible app or website. Look up all the words for wisdom in the Bible. See what the Lord says is true wisdom. None of it comes from the world. The world distorts wisdom to fit what it thinks is right. Not God – for Him, there is only one true wisdom. He is it.

Let me take you to Jeremiah 9:23-24. You can see what God says. “23 This is what the LORD says: ‘Let no wise man boast of his wisdom,…24 but let the one who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises mercy, justice, and righteousness on the earth; for I delight in these things,’ declares the LORD.” So, what is the source of your wisdom?

I only want Your wisdom, Lord, for I know is will always guide me true.

Standard
Bible, Child Rearing, Children, Eternity, Family, Legacy, Memorials, Scripture

ERASED FROM SIGHT

ZECHARIAH 9:1

“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),”

I attended a small, private school in Meigs, GA from grade 5 through high school. I spent a lot of time at that school between classes, dances and sports events. So many memories. But the school is gone – demolished. If you drove by the previous site of that school today, you would not see the buildings. They are gone. I know it existed, but people in the future will have to rely on other evidence if they want to find it.

Hadrach is one such city. It does not exist today. It is gone, wiped off the face of the earth by an invading power. It was a city in a godless land. It suffered the judgment of God because of that. They were idolaters who scoffed at the very idea of one God. They were proud and rebellious. We could learn a lot from their fate, couldn’t we?

APPLICATION

What in the world does this verse mean for us today? Oh, listen. I believe the Lord has given me a word on this. Our legacy in Christ is only as good as the next generation. We must be about putting down landmarks to the fourth and fifth generation. As parents, we invest in the lives of our children and teach them God’s truth. We coach and mentor them into a saving knowledge of Jesus. We also invest in our grandchildren, praying for them and teaching them every chance we get.

If we are so fortunate to see our great grandchildren, we need to do the same. For many of us, that will never happen. But we can begin to pray for them now. Pray daily for your future generations. Pray God will be so large in their lives that people will ask where they got their faith. Hopefully, they will point back to the previous generations of believers who stood the test of time.

Legacies are made one block at a time. Legacies take time. I pray my legacy is not that I was a great man. I pray my legacy is that I was a great man of God. I want any greatness to be attributed to Him. As I pray for my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, I am praying for them to be faithful and true and to lead many to Christ.

Oh, Lord, bless me to the fourth and fifth generations. I pray their inheritance from me is from You.

Standard