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How life is done…. (devo reflection)

Zechariah 4:2 He asked me, “What do you see?” I answered, “I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven channels to the lamps.

The end of Zechariah 4:6 says ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty. That verse brings me incredible comfort. I’ve never felt particularly mighty or powerful. I’m definitely not competitive. If that’s what it takes to win at life, I stand absolutely no chance.

Zechariah 4:3 Also there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.”

But 2 Chron 20:15 says, “This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” It’s ok that I’m not powerful or mighty. It’s ok that I’m not competitive. That’s not how life is done. ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.

Zechariah 4:5 He answered, “Do you not know what these are?” “No, my lord,” I replied.

Lord, Your thoughts are not our thoughts. Your ways are far beyond anything we can imagine (Isaiah 55:8). Thank You for the truth of Zechariah 4:6. Thank You that the battle is not mine but Yours. Thank You that Your strength is perfected in my weakness. Help me to draw closer to You, to shine Your light, to comfort Your people, to glorify Your name. Always. Amen.

Zechariah 4:6 So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.

Have a blessed day.

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Quiet my soul…. (devo reflection)

Zechariah 3:1 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him.

Reading today’s scripture brought Exodus 14:14 firmly to mind: “The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” Joshua doesn’t utter a word in this exchange. He allows the Lord, the angel of the Lord, to fight for him.

Zechariah 3:2 The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?”

Maybe if we are on a holy battlefield with God and the devil that “be silent” part is easier. In life it’s often not. We feel the need to explain, to justify, to defend, usually to no avail. It makes me wonder how differently battles in my life, battles with human, fleshly, fallible people just like me, would turn out if I more often took Exodus 14:14 to heart, remaining silent and allowing God to fight for me.

Zechariah 3:3 Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel.

Lord, You plucked me from the fire. You cleansed my soul and exchanged my dirty rags. You stood up for me in the face of Satan, claiming me as Your beloved child. And all You asked of me was repentance and return. You didn’t need my help at all. Yet still I feel the need to defend myself to others instead of being calm and quiet and letting You fight for me. Forgive me. Quiet my soul within me. Draw me closer to You. Amen.

Zechariah 3:4 The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes. Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you.”

Have a blessed day.

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In the presence of our Savior…. (devo reflection)

Zechariah 2:10 “Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the Lord.

Reading this section of today’s verse brought clearly to mind Matthew 1:23: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). God with us, God among us—to be in the presence of our Savior—that’s the goal, right?

Zechariah 2:11 “Many nations will be joined with the Lord in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you.

But scripture also tells us that God IS with us. Always. Even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). He’s already here—in us, with us, through us, among us.

Zechariah 2:12 The Lord will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem.

Lord, Thank You for Your word and for these things that I ponder in the quiet of my heart. Thank You that You are not only making a place for us (John 14:3) but also that You are with us, that You will never leave us (Deut 31:6, 8). My human mind can’t quite comprehend how all this is possible, but my eternal heart trusts You. Draw me closer. Amen.

Zechariah 2:13 Be still before the Lord, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.”

Have a blessed day.

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An open invitation…. (devo reflection)

Zechariah 1:2 “The Lord was very angry with your ancestors.

As I read today’s chapter, it brought to mind an old Nike ad that begins “You do not have to be your mother….” It is easy to fall into old patterns of behavior, and I think that’s what’s happening to the Israelites here—they have reverted back to the ways of their ancestors, ways that did not work for their ancestors, ways that are not working for them.

Zechariah 1:3 Therefore tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.

The Nike ad goes on to say “If you inherit something, inherit their strength…their resilience…” God in verse 3 says, essentially, “If you keep on the path of your ancestors, it will end the same way. But if you return to Me, I will return to you.” It is an open invitation to depart from the ways that aren’t working and return to relationship with God, an invitation open to all.

Zechariah 1:4 Do not be like your ancestors, to whom the earlier prophets proclaimed: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Turn from your evil ways and your evil practices.’ But they would not listen or pay attention to me, declares the Lord.

Lord, Thank You for the ability to see You everywhere, even an old Nike ad. Thank You for an open invitation to depart from the ways of our ancestors, ways that aren’t working, to restore relationship with You. Give me the strength and wisdom to accept You with an open heart. Draw me closer. Amen.

Zechariah 1:5 Where are your ancestors now? And the prophets, do they live forever?

Have a blessed day.

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Promises and siren songs…. (devo reflection)

Isaiah 36:16 “Do not listen to Hezekiah. This is what the king of Assyria says: Make peace with me and come out to me. Then each of you will eat fruit from your own vine and fig tree and drink water from your own cistern….”
This line from Isaiah brought George Washington and the play “Hamilton” to mind. In the three verses below, the vine and fig tree are allusions to freedom, peace, and rest. In the Isaiah verse, Rabshakeh hopes to pull on those same emotions.
Micah 4:4 Everyone will sit under their own vine and under their own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the LORD Almighty has spoken.
Hezekiah is trying to convince the Israelites to stay the course, continue trusting in God even through their fear. Rabshakeh says, “Just trust the Assyrian king and rest and peace—vine and fig tree—will be yours.” It’s a trick, of course.
1 Kings 4:25 During Solomon’s lifetime Judah and Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, lived in safety, everyone under their own vine and under their own fig tree.
Lord, How often in my exhaustion and desire for rest do I fall for the siren song of Rabshakeh. You promise me peace and rest but only if I trust in You and You alone. I want Your peace and rest, Lord, not the empty promises of this world. Draw me closer. Amen.
Zechariah 3:10 “’In that day each of you will invite your neighbor to sit under your vine and fig tree,’ declares the LORD Almighty.”
Have a blessed day.