Category Archives: Blessing

Abiding, Battles, Bible, Blessing, Destruction, Enemies, Fire, Oppression, Scripture

HOT TO THE TOUCH

ZECHARIAH 12:6

“‘On that day I will make the clans of Judah like a firepot among pieces of wood and a flaming torch among sheaves, so they will consume on the right and on the left all the surrounding peoples, while the inhabitants of Jerusalem again live on their own sites in Jerusalem.’”

I respect fire. I have seen the damage it can do to homes and communities. Several years ago, there was a fire here in TN that consumed acres and acres of forest as well as dozens of homes. The only way the firefighters could fight this fire was to try to contain it. It was a powerful force that reminded us of the power of nature.

The clans of Judah are compared to a firepot and a flaming torch. They would consume all their enemies around them. This victory over their enemies was not of their own doing. God did this. But He used them to accomplish it. Why? To build into them the faith they needed. He knew they would face other enemies in the future, and they needed this confidence.

APPLICATION

Are your enemies surrounding you? Do you feel outnumbered? Rest in this fact. God is with you. All those times you face that challenge and rely on Him, He comes through. Now, He isn’t going to make you a firepot or a flaming torch, but He will come alongside you and strengthen.

I must give you a warning here. When you think you can handle it on your own, beware. I Corinthians 10:12 says, “Now, if you think you are standing firm, be careful lest you fall.” In other words, don’t take on life’s challenges by yourself. When we come to our Savior for help, He is always there.

You may be saying, Well Carl, I have cried out to God for help over and over with no luck. Listen, when we are walking with the Lord and not trying to handle things ourselves, He is there. He wants to be there and care for you. Whatever you are facing today, give it to Him. Call on Him. He will carry you through.

Father God, let Your firepot and flaming torch burn away those things that surround me and want to harm me.

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Advocate, Bible, Blessing, Covenant, Deliverance, God's Will, Protection, Safety, Scripture

TABLES TURNED

ZECHARIAH 12:2

“‘Behold, I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that causes staggering to all the peoples around; and when the siege is against Jerusalem, it will also be against Judah.’”

Have you ever intended to pull a prank on someone that backfired, and you ended up being the one pranked? It can happen. It is also possible that those nasty words you use against someone will come back to haunt you. Ricochets aren’t good. They can bring great harm on others and yourself.

Here in today’s verse, Zechariah begins his latest prophecy. Jerusalem is described as a cup which is now causing those who have been against her to stagger. We are seeing that today in the land of Israel. All around her, literally surrounding her, are nations that want to wipe her off the map. But God has caused them to be staggered. Beware to all those who oppose her.

APPLICATION

You can’t read this verse without looking at Isaiah 51:21-23.

“21 Therefore, listen to this, you afflicted, who are drunk, but not with wine: 22 This is what your Lord, the LORD, your God Who contends for His people says: ‘Behold, I have taken from your hand the cup of staggering, the chalice of My anger; you will never drink it again. 23 I will put it into the hand of your tormentors, who have said to you, “Lie down so that we may walk over you.” You have also made your back like the ground, and like the street for those who walk over it.’”

Zechariah has said almost the same thing. What do I get from this? God has His children’s back. We would do well to remember that. If we have evil intent against another believer, beware. God is their protector. And if others are trying to cause you harm, trust in the One Who has protected His children.

If you are like me, I have been the victim of some pretty harsh things in my life. When you choose to do what is right, you will anger some other people. Sometimes those are even other believers. 1 Peter 4:19 says, “So then, those who suffer according to God’s will, should entrust themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.” Can you say you are doing that.

I praise You, Father, for having my back and seeing me through life’s challenging moments.

(Praise the Lord for His faithfulness to me. This is blog #2800. God is so good!

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Abiding, Bible, Blessing, Creation, Faith, Glory, Holy Spirit, Obedience, Scripture

THINGS GOD DOES

ZECHARIAH 12:1

“The pronouncement of the word of the LORD concerning Israel: The LORD who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of a person within him, declares:”

Creation! Isn’t it amazing? I had the privilege recently to visit Newfoundland. One day we visited several sites in Western Newfoundland and saw majestic mountains, rocky shores and beautiful landscapes. My friend who accompanied me said several times, “How can anyone see this and not believe in a Grand Creator?” I agree.

Zechariah begins a new prophecy in chapter 12 and opens up by describing the Great Creator. Look at the verse again. God is the one who created the heavens (all the stars, the sun, the moon, etc.). He set the foundation of the earth (established boundaries for the seas and land, formed mountains and the landscape). He also formed man and placed a spirit in each. Just read Genesis 1:26-28. Look at all that God does.

APPLICATION

Just because God is finished creating, that does not mean He has stopped working. He is still very much at work in the world. We just have to open our eyes to see it. In Romans 1, Paul says it is apparent, if we look. Verse 20 says, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made, so that they are without excuse.”

Look at all the Lord is doing all around you. He has placed His Holy Spirit in you, if you are a believer. Do you get that? The Spirit of God dwells in you. 1 Corinthians 6:19 tells us, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God,…” God loves you and wants to dwell within you. God is still at work.

So, if God is in you and is still at work, there is no limit to what you can do. But you must submit your will to His. Then He is able to work in and through you to accomplish great things. Jesus even told us we would do greater things than Him. Hard to believe, huh? But Jesus said it, so it has to be true. Let’s get to work with God today.

Father, I want to do Your will today. Use me as Your vessel.

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Abiding, Accountability, Bible, Blessing, Commands, Rejection, Scripture

THROWN TO THE POTTER

ZECHARIAH 11:13

“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.”

I struggled to come up with a personal illustration of this verse. I have never been paid thirty shekels of silver and have never thrown it to the potter in church. I can only point you to the story of Judas Iscariot in Matthew 27:3-10. You need to read that in its entirety, but here are a few of the verses. “5 And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and left; and he went away and hanged himself. 6 The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, ‘It is not lawful to put them in the temple treasury, since it is money paid for blood.’ 7 And they conferred together and with the money bought the Potter’s Field as a burial place for strangers.”

Zechariah is giving a vision here from the Lord to share with the people. No scholar thinks Zechariah actually took money and threw it at a potter in the temple. But look at how this prophecy was fulfilled perfectly by Judas and the priests. The rejection of Jesus by Judas and the priests symbolized perfectly Zechariah’s vision as told to the people. Keep in mind, Zechariah was written around 500 years before Judas’ betrayal.

APPLICATION

So, what does this mean for us? To continue our thought from yesterday’s blog, how have you spurned the Lord? How have you rejected His gift of grace and mercy? We run the danger of doing that even after becoming a Christian. We can get so focused on our life or even in living according to some set of rules we have been given that we reject the freedom we have in Jesus.

People say But Carl, it’s too hard to live for God. I just can’t be holy like that. To that I share 2 Peter 1:3. “3 for His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”

You can accept and obey every command given to you by God. God does not expect us to obey something we are incapable of. So, let us stop throwing away the clear commands of the Father and seek ways to obey. Rely on the power of the Holy Spirit Who can guide you perfectly in God’s way.

Father, I was just as guilty as Judas before coming to You. Forgive me for not walking more holy.

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Abiding, Advocate, Battles, Bible, Blessing, Choices, Consequences, Danger, Evil, God's Will, Obedience, Protection, Scripture

YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN

ZECHARIAH 11:10

“‘And I took my staff Favor and cut it in pieces, to break my covenant which I had made with all the peoples.’”

I have had numerous experiences dealing with youth who refused any correction, who refused any counsel. They were determined to do their own thing. When these youth would threaten to run away, I always told them that I could not stop them from doing that. But if they did, I would not be able to protect them. They would be on their own, susceptible to all the evil that was in the world just waiting to attack.

Today’s verse has God saying about the same thing to Israel. His staff of favor was being cut in pieces. He would not continue to protect and show favor to them because they were choosing to go after other gods. They were forsaking Him. How horrible that must have sounded to the people. They had crossed the line with God. They would now feel the wrath of their enemies which had been shielded by God up to now.

APPLICATION

You may have heard it explained this way. As believers, as long as we abide in Him, as long as we follow the Master, His “umbrella of protection” is over us. Nothing can touch us unless it goes past Him first. This is not to say we won’t face hard times or tragedies. But knowing He allowed it should give us faith to carry on.

Read these words of Peter in 1 Peter 4:12-13. “12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though something strange were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that at the revelation of His glory you may also rejoice and be overjoyed.”

That is the key. We need to stay close to Him to receive His protection. We do not want that staff of Favor to be lifted. But also, when we do face hardships, remember He is there. If you have wandered from the Truth, return to Him. If you are abiding but going through a hard time, trust Him. He is there. Don’t forget that. He is there.

Lord God, I praise You for Your abundant grace and mercy. Forgive me when I wander from Your embrace.

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Bible, Blessing, Faithfulness, Goodness, Promises, Rain, Scripture

SPRING RAIN

ZECHARIAH 10:1

“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.”

It’s been a pretty hot this summer where I live in Chattanooga, TN. We had a time of dry weather as well. It was so dry that the Baptist began baptizing with sprinkling and the Methodists were simply using a damp cloth. Not really, but it was pretty dry. When we finally got rain, you wanted to just stand out in it. People didn’t run from their cars into stores. Everyone was grateful.

Chapter ten of Zechariah begins where the last chapter left off. Remember, there were no chapter divisions in the original text. God continues to literally shower blessings on His people. This time He promises rain which was crucial for them to produce their crops. And He gave them at the time needed – spring. Just as they have finished sowing their seeds or planting, the rains came.

APPLICATION

Maybe you are saying right now, Carl, that is all well and good, but I am not a farmer. I don’t worry about spring rains. Let’s take a look at that for a minute. God may not need to send you rain, but He sends you other blessings. Can you name five things that God has blessed you with in the past year? How about in the past month? Week? We lose track of the blessings that are given which make it possible to “sow our fields.”

Just look at God’s promises to us. Deuteronomy 11:13-15 says, “13 ‘And it shall come about, if you listen obediently to my commandments which I am commanding you today, to love the LORD your God and to serve Him with all your heart and all your soul, 14 that He will provide rain for your land in its season, the early and late rain, so that you may gather your grain, your new wine, and your oil. 15 He will also provide grass in your field for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied.’”

I know I want God’s blessings. I’ll take the spring rains. So, I must live obediently. I must follow His commands. I must spend time with Him in prayer. I need to share the good news with my neighbors. I need to give thanks for all He has done for me and not take those blessings for granted. Will you join me?

Showers of blessings, indeed! I give You thanks, O Lord, for being faithful to bless as You promised.

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Abiding, Appearance, Beauty, Bible, Blessing, Loveliness, Scripture

LOVELINESS AND BEAUTY

ZECHARIAH 9:17

“For how great will their loveliness and beauty be! Grain will make the young men flourish, and new wine, the virgins.”

I am sure you have all seen a beauty contest. Contestants are judged on their beauty and poise. Sometimes they are even judged on a talent. When I was in high school, my girlfriend was crowned Miss Pelham in our hometown contest. Needless to say, my chest was a little puffed up.

God is not talking about worldly beauty and loveliness. The Hebrew words are worthy of a look. “Loveliness” means goodness, gladness, welfare. It’s a word that has meaning that is directed toward others. “Beauty” is just that – beauty. Was God saying the Israelites are all beautiful physically? Of course not. Their beauty was all based on their relationship to Him. What a great expression towards His people!

APPLICATION

How lovely and beautiful are you? Well Carl, I have been told I am a really nice person. That is not what God means by this. Our loveliness and our beauty cannot be tied to worldly opinions. Ours is tied directly to how we live out the Word of God. Philippians 4:8 tells us, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

This kind of thinking will turn us into lovely and beautiful believers. It will come out in the way we treat others. It will be exposed to strangers. We will not be able to keep Jesus from spilling out on others. They will see His loveliness and His beauty in us. Remember, it is NOT about you. It’s all about Him.

I will never be called beautiful based on my physical features. As I age, I see more and more physical imperfections. But it is my prayer that people see my loveliness and my beauty that is based on Jesus. When He shines forth, that is all that matters. Be lovely and be beautiful for Jesus!

I praise You, O God, for making me more and more like You so Your loveliness and Your beauty can be seen.

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Abiding, Abundance, Bible, Blessing, Crowns, Scripture, Treasures, Value, Worthy

PRECIOUS STONES

ZECHARIAH 9:16

“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.”

One of my favorite verses about children is found in Proverbs 24:3-4. “By wisdom a house is built and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.” Isn’t that beautiful? Those rare and beautiful treasures are our children. If you have a child or children, I pray you see them that way.

The Lord is reassuring the people once again just how special they are to Him. He calls them His people who sparkle on His land. God is painting a picture for them. They are like a crown encrusted with precious stones. They sparkle and shine His glory and His brilliance. What a wonderful description!

APPLICATION

You are also seen by God in the same way once you become a believer in Christ. In the Word, God paints us in all kinds of ways. He calls us a royal priesthood and His own possession in 1 Peter 2:9. We are His children, His family, living stones, etc., etc., etc. I could go on and on through Scripture with the descriptors God uses to show how much we mean to Him.

My point is this – don’t let anyone ever tell you that you are of no value. If you are God’s child, you have extreme value. You are joint heirs of the kingdom with Jesus. Wow! You are a rich, rich person in Christ. I saw the other day that someone won the largest lottery ever – over $1.5 billion. But our inheritance in Jesus is so much more.

I am not a rich man, and I never will be (unless that lottery winner wants to give me a million or two, lol). But the Lord has always provided for me and my family. Why? Because I am His precious jewel. He cares for me. I believe He will do what He says He will do. I believe He is able to do the impossible. Do you? He can if you will allow Him into your life.

O God, my salvation and my stronghold, I rest in You knowing that You see me as a precious jewel.

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Abundance, Bible, Blessing, Goodness, Money, Promises, Salvation, Scripture

DOUBLE BLESSING

ZECHARIAH 9:12

“Return to the stronghold, you prisoners who have the hope; this very day I am declaring that I will restore double to you.”

Given the chance, I would love to double my money anytime. I would swap $10 for $20 all day long. Wouldn’t you? I have never been given that opportunity though. I have thought of playing the lottery but decided not to. Putting my hopes in a lottery doesn’t make a lot of sense. I will let the Lord double my blessings instead.

I just love this verse today in Zechariah. It reminds me of another book of the Bible. In the book of Job, he is restored double what he had lost AFTER he had gone through the test of suffering. Job 42:10 tells us, “The LORD also restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the LORD increased double all that Job had.” When you get to heaven, ask Job if his suffering was worth it. I bet I know his answer.

APPLICATION

For us to receive those blessings from God, we must come to Him. Our verse says “return to the stronghold.” What is that? Or better yet, who is that? It is the Lord God Almighty. When we return there, He gives us hope. He promises to bless us abundantly. I recall Jesus saying in John 10:10 “‘The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly.’”

Now when the Lord says we will have life abundantly, He means a lot. Our life in Him will be beyond measure. Am I saying we are going to be rich beyond our wildest dreams? Certainly not! Jesus will bless you in ways which you can’t measure by human terms. You can’t put them in a bank. But you’ll know you have the blessings.

Blessings come from the Father through the Son to us, the same path which our salvation comes. That is the greatest blessing of God – salvation. I would not even call this a double blessing. It is beyond description. Let’s just call it what Jesus did – abundant! Have you received it? If not, make today the day that you receive God’s double blessing He has promised.

My cup surely runneth over. I cannot contain all the blessings from You, O Lord.

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Abiding, Abundance, Bible, Blessing, Favor, Home, Oveflowing, Promises, Scripture

LET US GO WITH YOU

ZECHARIAH 8:23

“‘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.’”’”

I have seen many a child tug on their mother’s dress or coat as they are left in the church nursery. They cried out to them, “Please, let me go with you.” My own children did that. They did not like the nursery. They wanted to stay with us. Mind you, it wasn’t that they wanted to go to “Big Church” with us. It was more about just being with their parents.

In today’s verse, the last verse of chapter 8, the Lord closes out His blessing statements by saying that the Jews are going to be begged by others to take them along back to Israel. They had heard how God had defeated Israel’s enemies and had brought His people home. They wanted to be a part of that. They wanted whatever the Jewish people had.

APPLICATION

We should spread such a sweet fragrance of Christ wherever we go that those we pass will turn and say, “Boy, I want whatever they have.” Can that be said about you? Do people want to follow you? If you are following Christ, they will. Actually, they will be following Christ in you. There’s a big difference.

Why do I differentiate? Because we can become men followers instead of Christ followers. Christ says, “‘If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.’” Whew! Who wants to do that? Well, I do. I want to follow wherever He goes. Just like the people coming from the other nations to Israel, I want to be where God is doing something.

If no one is following you in your Christian walk, maybe you need to examine your walk. Ouch, Carl, that hurt. Well, I ask myself that question quite often. Does my aroma smell like Jesus? Does my walk imitate His walk? Would people want to follow me if I did this or that? Good questions to ponder, huh?

Lord, allow me to be more and more like You so others can be led to You.

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