Read Zechariah 7:11-14
This third section of Zechariah centers around the “implications” of this new age of believers. Those returning from exile will be the remnant of God’s chosen to repopulate Jerusalem and Judah. But what does that look like?
Zechariah’s first audience kept the faith in God alive for us today. There were enough of them who listened to God’s message, warning them to not fall into the same traps their ancestors had. They say “history repeats itself,” and I suppose we see evidence of that in the Bible where patterns emerge in human behavior and motivations.
Sinfulness has not gone away. Jesus did not sin, but we all do. We can never claim to be perfect because only Jesus is perfect. What makes him perfect? Hebrews 4:15 says, “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.” Our High Priest is Jesus.
God offers himself to help fill us up when we are weak, remember? We don’t have to spend another day feeling empty or lost. Well, maybe we can feel a little lost because this world can be difficult to navigate with all the rules and such. But even in our times of desperation, we can rest in the assurance we are never alone.
The implications resulting in a barren future, distant from God, can be avoided. When you look at Zechariah’s prophecy as a whole, you can see the pattern and heart of God. The message is still valid for us today.
We know that apart from God we can feel weak and unsure of the future. With God, we feel a little giddy we have access to his power and totally okay with whatever the future brings so long as God is leading the way. That’s a scary step at first for people who have always been control freaks like me.
Take time today to reflect on where you are in your journey of faith. Is it time to take a drink of the living water Jesus offers?
Let’s pray. Lord, we can get so busy in our lives with this or that. Forgive me for those times that I don’t stop to listen to what you want to tell me. This passage is a good reminder to how you rescued me from my own pit of despair all those years ago. I am eternally grateful. May I serve you well. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
