Category Archives: Holy

Bible, Blood, Chosen, God's Will, Holiness, Holy, Offering, Scripture

HOLY TO THE LORD

ZECHARIAH 14:20

“On that day there will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, ‘HOLY TO THE LORD.’ And the cooking pots in the LORD’S house will be like the bowls before the altar.”

It seems everyone is trying “normalize” everything. Things we thought were abnormal a generation ago are now mainstream. Same sex marriage has been made equal with normal heterosexual marriage. Pregnancy before marriage is now accepted. Nobody bats an eye. We have “dumbed” down society to a level that is hardly recognizable.

That is not what is happening in today’s verse. In verse 20 of Zechariah 14, Zechariah is bringing these everyday items up to a level of holiness. Holiness isn’t brought down to their level. They are lifted up. That is exactly what the Lord does for us, isn’t it? He lifts us up out of the mirey clay, cleanses us and places us in the heavenlies.

APPLICATION

We need to do the same. We need to reach down and pull up the things that are unholy, change them through Jesus and declare them holy. 2 Timothy 2:21 says, “Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.” Whew! Wow! “Useful to the Master.”

Let me ask you something. Are you useful for the master? Just like the bells on the horses and the cooking pots will be made holy, you may also be made holy through the blood of the Lamb. He wants to use you for His special tasks. He has plans for you. And He needs you to be a holy vessel, worthy of Him.

The great thing about us being holy is it is not up to us. We don’t have to do a bunch of works to earn it. We don’t have to keep 613 laws, drawn up by fallible men. We only have to rely on His holiness. We simply submit and let His holiness pour over us. Are you ready for some holiness on you?

Father, You are holy so I want to be holy. Use me as Your vessel.

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Accountability, Accused, Battles, Bible, Enemies, Evil, Holy, Innocent, Reputation, Scripture, Testimony

REMOVE ALL DOUBT

ZECHARIAH 13:5

“‘but he will say, “I am not a prophet; I am a cultivator of the ground, because a man sold me as a slave in my youth.”’”

One thing I truly hate is to be falsely accused of something. If I am guilty, I will admit it. I will take the consequences. But to be accused of something I haven’t done and have my name be called into question, well, that really bothers me. Of course, we can expect nothing less from the evil one. He loves to set up falsehoods against us. That is why we must live above reproach.

Today’s verse reminded me immediately of the prophet Amos. In

Amos 7:14 we read, “Then Amos replied to Amaziah, ‘I am not a prophet, nor am I the son of a prophet; for I am a herdsman and a grower of sycamore figs.’” Amos wanted to distance himself from being seen as a prophet. But here is Zechariah, we see this declaration a little differently. These people wanted to make sure they were not seen as a false prophet. They wanted no part of that.

APPLICATION

We need to be diligent in keeping ourselves away from actions or deeds that could call our testimony into question. I have to admit that I haven’t always done that. But I have discovered a little secret (it’s not a secret really). When I slack off my Quiet Times, I am prone to fall. I have to spend time every day in the Word and in prayer. That keeps my defenses up.

My memory verse this week is Psalm 34:4. “I sought the Lord and He answered me and rescued me from all my fears.” I must (and you must) seek the Lord daily. That means spending time digging out His Word and discovering His truths. Then we must meditate and memorize that Word and find ways to apply it to our lives. Doing those simple things each day helps protect you from falling along your walk.

That does not mean the enemy won’t try to malign you and bring your testimony into question. But if you are living holy, your life will be like Teflon, nothing will stick. Put that armor on each day and watch the fiery darts bounce off. Don’t give the devil a foothold (Ephesians 4:27). Live above the lies.

Father, help me live in such a way that no attack of the enemy can find its target.

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Altars, Appointed, Bible, Blood, Holy, Sacrifice, Scripture

A SACRIFICIAL BASIN

ZECHARIAH 9:15

“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.”

I was visiting my older sister recently in our parents’ home place. My sister still has some of my mom’s dishes and bowls in the china cabinet. I remember as a child that those “vessels” were only brought out on special occasions. They were handled with extreme care. I don’t recall ever washing them after a meal. Those vessels were cared for by my mom. She cherished them.

The Lord describes the people of Israel as sacrificial basins. Actually, in the Hebrew the word “sacrificial” isn’t there. The Hebrew word is zaraq. It is a bowl or basin used for sprinkling. These golden basins collected the blood from the sacrifices and the blood was sprinkled as part of the worship. These were holy vessels used only for this purpose. God is saying His people are like that – holy, special, set apart.

APPLICATION

Did you know that as a believer, you too are set apart, holy and special? We are called saints, which means set apart ones. When is the last time you were called a saint. Next Sunday when you see one of your friends at church, walk up to them and say, “Hi, Saint _____.” You will probably get stared at. People are not used to being called saints.

I recall a story I heard about two brothers. They were wicked men who never set foot inside a church. Their reputation was known far and wide. One day, one of the brothers died. The other brother, wanting to give him a “proper” burial, called the local Pastor and asked him to do the service. He even offered the Pastor $1 million if the Pastor would call his brother a saint during the service.

The Pastor thought long and hard about it and agreed to do it. At the service, the Pastor gave the eulogy and told the truth about the brother who had died, recounting his evil lifestyle and no interest in God. But then he said, “But compared to his brother sitting here, he was a saint.”

We are not comparing ourselves to someone else to be called saints. Our sainthood is given through the blood of Christ. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:2, “… to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling,…” Those words apply to every believer. Are you a saint?

Father, thank You for calling me a saint, a set apart one, dedicated to Your use.

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