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Precious and valuable…. (devo reflection)

Zechariah 9:3 Tyre has built herself a stronghold; she has heaped up silver like dust, and gold like the dirt of the streets.

The imagery in verse 3 really struck me: “she has heaped up silver like dust, and gold like the dirt of the streets.” Silver and gold are precious and valuable, but Tyre has treated them as worthless, of no more value than dust and dirt in the streets.

Zechariah 9:4 But the Lord will take away her possessions and destroy her power on the sea, and she will be consumed by fire.

I wonder if there is a parallel to the way Tyre treats people, particularly the Israelites. Now that the faithful remnant is all that remains, God seems to be cleaning house. He’s smoothing the way of the remnant, He knows the value of precious things and of precious people. He’s “keeping watch”.

Zechariah 9:8 But I will encamp at my temple to guard it against marauding forces. Never again will an oppressor overrun my people, for now I am keeping watch.

Lord, Thank You for the beauty in Your word, for the number of times a verse, thought, or image strikes me as I read. Thank You for the ability to wonder and speculate about Your meaning. Thank You for the fact that I never have to speculate about Your love, mercy, and compassion for Your people. Amen.

Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Have a blessed day. I love you.

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Limited by my own imagination…. (devo reflection)

Zechariah 8:6 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “It may seem marvelous to the remnant of this people at that time, but will it seem marvelous to me?” declares the Lord Almighty.

In today’s reading, the Lord describes a rebuilt Jerusalem, filled with wise older residents and the young, both of whom are scarce in the current city in the process of rebuilding. The Lord says that this vision may seem marvelous—incredible, unbelievable—to the remnant, but God’s thoughts are not our thoughts. His ways are far beyond anything we can imagine (Isaiah 55:8).

Zechariah 8:8 I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem; they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God.”

When it comes to God’s glory and goodness, when it comes to trying to understand His ways, when it comes to trying to imagine what heaven might be like, I know I am limited by my own imagination. What’s possible is shaped by what I’ve seen, by my understanding of the workings of the world, which is so incredibly limited as to be laughable.

Zechariah 8:13 Just as you, Judah and Israel, have been a curse among the nations, so I will save you, and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong.”

Lord, Thank You that You are not limited by my understanding, imagination, or humanity. Thank You that Your ways are beyond anything I can imagine. Help me to trust You, even when I am afraid, even when I don’t understand. Draw me closer. Amen.

Zechariah 8:16-17 These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the Lord.

Have a blessed day.

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The heart of my faith…. (devo reflection)

Zechariah 7:4-5 Then the word of the Lord Almighty came to me: “Ask all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, was it really for me that you fasted?
The question here is one of motivation, not action. The people have followed religious law and fasted when appropriate, but God asks WHY they fasted: to adhere to the law, so they could be seen as upstanding religious persons by law, or to draw closer to God?
Zechariah 7:6 And when you were eating and drinking, were you not just feasting for yourselves?
The point, it seems to me, is that faith is more than following religious law and checking off obedience boxes. If there is no heart for God, no justice, mercy, and compassion, if there is only adherence to ritual, the acts are empty and meaningless.
Zechariah 7:9-10 “This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’
Lord, If I am a “good Christian” in the eyes of the world but fall short of the mark in Your eyes, I have failed. Help me to live out the heart of my faith. Help me to put my beliefs into action daily. Help me to live a life that allows You to say to me at the end, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt 25:23). Amen.
Zechariah 7:11 “But they refused to pay attention; stubbornly they turned their backs and covered their ears.
Have a blessed day.
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Sinking our roots deep…. (devo reflection)

Zechariah 6:12 Tell him this is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Here is the man whose name is the Branch, and he will branch out from his place and build the temple of the Lord.

Commentary posits that this section is referring to the Messiah and mentions John 15:5: “I am the vine; you are the branches…” as corroboration supporting the point. It makes sense. And the image of Christ as a branch is a lovely one.

Zechariah 6:13 It is he who will build the temple of the Lord, and he will be clothed with majesty and will sit and rule on his throne. And he will be a priest on his throne. And there will be harmony between the two.’

Colossians 2:7 furthers this idea of Christ as the branch to which we cling in that it reminds us of our role. Christ is the branch and we must root ourselves in Him. Sinking our roots deep into Him allows our faith to grow strong and allows us to overflow with thankfulness.

Zechariah 6:14 The crown will be given to Heldai, Tobijah, Jedaiah and Hen son of Zephaniah as a memorial in the temple of the Lord.

Lord, I am just barely enough of a gardener to know that even the loveliest flowers will fail without strong roots and even the tiniest, scrappiest remnant can thrive again for the same reason. Help me to root myself deeply in You so that I may flourish in the tasks You have placed before me. Help me to give you the glory. Always. Amen.

Zechariah 6:15 Those who are far away will come and help to build the temple of the Lord, and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you. This will happen if you diligently obey the Lord your God.”

Have a blessed day. I love you.

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Cutting through the madness…. (devo reflection)

Zechariah 5:6 I asked, “What is it?” He replied, “It is a basket.” And he added, “This is the iniquity of the people throughout the land.”

In today’s reading, wickedness is personified as a woman. It made me wonder if that went back to Eve and the apple. But then two women with stork wings took wickedness far far away, which made me wonder if that had something to do with redemption.

Zechariah 5:7 Then the cover of lead was raised, and there in the basket sat a woman!

Then again, maybe I’m reading way too much into it. (I am an English teacher after all.) Evil, temptation, wickedness exist everywhere and in some of the most innocuous disguises. Redemption is also abundant and as easy as returning and repenting.

Zechariah 5:8 He said, “This is wickedness,” and he pushed her back into the basket and pushed its lead cover down on it.

Lord, We try to make things so complicated sometimes. Thank You for cutting through the madness. Evil, temptation, and wickedness exist. They are everywhere. But You are bigger, greater, stronger. Your love is fiercer and more powerful. You’ve got Your beloved children securely in the palm of Your hand. Thank You. Amen.

Zechariah 5:9 Then I looked up—and there before me were two women, with the wind in their wings! They had wings like those of a stork, and they lifted up the basket between heaven and earth.

Have a blessed day.

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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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“Be strong…For I am with you….” (devo reflection)

Haggai 2:4 But now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ declares the Lord. ‘Be strong, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the Lord, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the Lord Almighty.

Lord, Thank You for speaking to my heart this morning. You know the task before me. You know I feel unequal to it. Thank You for sending me these words of encouragement. Help me to take them to heart, to be strong, to know, to trust that You are with me.

Haggai 2:5 ‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.’

Lord, Thank You for the reminder that ultimately, everything I do is for Your glory. Help me to work diligently for the good of others but to never lose sight of the fact that ultimately, everything I do is for You. Help me not to fear my own inadequacies and to concentrate on the task at hand and on bringing You glory.

Haggai 2:9 ‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the Lord Almighty.”

Lord, Thank You for the reminder that it is not about me, it’s about You. Thank You for the reminder that I am Your hands and feet. Help me to keep my heart tied to Yours. Give me strength, wisdom, and guidance to help the people You place in my path. Help me to glorify You in all I do. Amen.

Haggai 2:19b …“ ‘From this day on I will bless you.’ ”

Have a blessed day.