Zechariah 1

Message: Zechariah is sent to encourage the people to rebuild God's temple and gives them a vision of things to come.

Time: Zechariah 1-8 - Written during the building of the Temple (520-518BC); Zechariah 9-14 - Written after the temple was completed (480-470BC); Zechariah 1 - 2nd yr of King Darius's reign (Darius reigned 34 years)

What the Lord is Saying:

God speaks through Zechariah (and Haggai) to stir up the hearts of the people and renew their labor in building the temple. Haggai focused on the religious life of the people; Zechariah focuses more on the national and political. His ministry extended over 2 years. 

The rebuilding of the temple is significant because as long as the temple is left unfinished, the people were being disobedient to the Lord's commands regarding old covenant worship. And so the real problem may look like an unfinished temple, but in reality it is a problem of the heart of the people. Their sin reigns in them. They care not of the Lord's commands. 

Zechariah 1 - the message is to return to the Lord. Previous leaders have called Israel/Judah to return to the Lord or turn from your evil ways. Evil acts yield not a prosperous life.

Zechariah will see 8 visions (not dreams). Here we have the 1st one.

• An angel was talking to Zechariah, explaining the vision
• Man sitting on a red horse, standing among myrtle trees in a small valley
• Behind him were riders on red, brown and white horse. 
• The man sitting (rider) on the red horse explained
• These are the ones (riders) sent to patrol the earth
• Riders Report -- We have been patrolling and the whole earth is at peace
• Angel's Response is a Prayer
• O Lord of Heaven's Armies, you have been angry with Jerusalem and the towns of Judah for 70 years. When will you show mercy? 
• The Lord spoke kind/comforting words to the angel
• The Angel to Zechariah
• The Lord says, "My love for Jerusalem and Mount Zion is passionate and strong."
• The Lord says, "My anger is for those other nations enjoying peace and security. I was angry with my people, but the other nations inflicted a greater pain on my people than I intended."
• So, "The Lord is returning to show mercy on Jerusalem. My temple will be rebuilt. Jerusalem will be reconstructed. The towns of Judah will overflow with prosperity. The Lord will comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem as his own."
• Four animal horns
• These are the nations that scattered Judah/Israel/Jerusalem
• Four blacksmiths
• Coming to terrify those nations, throw them down and destroy them

Promise: The message to rebuild the temple is really a message to the people to confront their sin and remember the Lord's commands. The Lord does this through Zechariah by calling them to recognize their evil, their sin and then to turn from their evil ways -- to repent. The immediate response is the simple recognition that evil acts disobey God and we must ask forgiveness. God wants a heart yielded to Him and then our deeds show our love to the Father and those deeds result in a prosperous life. But, the deeds aren't there to yield God's acceptance.

Jesus Calling: February 20

    Learn to live from your true Center in Me. I reside in the deepest depths of your being, in eternal union with your spirit. It is at this deep level that My Peace reigns continually. You will not find lasting peace in the world around you, in circumstances, or in human relationships. The external world is always in flux--under the curse of death and decay. But there is a gold mine of Peace deep within you, waiting to be tapped. Take time to delve into the riches of My residing Presence. I want you to live increasingly from your real Center, where My Love has an eternal grip on you. I am Christ in you, the hope of Glory. 

Colossians 3:15

English Standard Version

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Colossians 1:27

English Standard Version

To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Philippians 4:6-7

English Standard Version

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.


Thoughts
Where do I go to look for peace? In my circumstances. Safeguarding my environment. Safeguarding my house. Making sure all my needs are met. But, abiding by the commandments of the Lord, being careful to live according to His word -- this is the way to find true peace because it is by doing these things that we will prosper and have success.

Christ is my peace. Be thankful. Rest in His calling.

My Prayer
Lord, thank you for offering security through You. Thank you for the peace you provide, which surpasses all understanding. I pray that I would reside in this peace. I pray I would see daily that my peace can only be found in Christ. That is where I want to live.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: February 19

    You are feeling weighed down by a plethora of problems, both big and small. They seem to require more and more of your attention, but you must not give in to those demands. When the difficulties in your life feel as if they're closing in on you, break free by spending quality time with Me. You need to remember who I AM in all My Power and Glory. Then, humbly bring Me your prayers and petitions. Your problems will pale when you view them in the Light of My Presence. You can learn to be joyful in Me, your Savior, even in the midst of adverse circumstances. Rely on Me, your Strength; I make your feet like the feet of a deer, enabling you to go on the heights. 

Exodus 3:14

English Standard Version
God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I am has sent me to you.’”

Habakkuk 3:17-19
English Standard Version
Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
God, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer's;
he makes me tread on my high places.
To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.

Thoughts
Retreating to the Lord rarely is my first option when problems arise. Instead, I often will figure out a way on my own to feel better, sometimes this is talking about the problem, which in a way becomes gossip. I become more critical. I moan. I complain. I cry out, "woe is me." Sometimes I figure out a way to cope with it by engaging in sin, because I think and get accustomed to these acts making me feel good real quick. I am impatient often in these circumstances.

But, here I am reminded to do what Daniel did when problems came to him, he didn't change his course of action. He remained steady and continued to pray to the Lord three times a day. He stayed consistent in His walk with the Lord. I should take comfort in the words of Moses that God is "I Am" and he has been sent to me. In Habbakuk, I can be reminded that though all doesn't look right, I can rejoice in the Lord and take joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord is my strength.

My Prayer
Lord, change my habits and may I be in a habit of turning to you and continuing to retreat to You amidst all the circumstances of my life. Keep me close to You. Thank You for protecting me and raising me up. Thank you for the new life that is in You. Bring back the joy of my salvation.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author.

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: February 18

    I AM with you. These four words are like a safety net, protecting you from falling into despair. Because you are human, you will always have ups and downs in your life experience. But the promise of My Presence limits how far down you can go. Sometimes you may feel as if you are in a free fall, when people or things you had counted on let you down. Yet as soon as you remember that I am with you, your perspective changes radically. Instead of bemoaning your circumstances, you can look to Me for help. You recall that not only am I with you, I am holding you by your right hand. I guide you with My counsel, and afterward I will take you into Glory. This is exactly the perspective you need: the reassurance of My Presence, and the glorious hope of heaven. 

Zephaniah 3:17
English Standard Version
The Lord your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.

Psalm 73:23-26
English Standard Version
Nevertheless, I am continually with you;
you hold my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will receive me to glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Thoughts
The Lord is with me. He is beside me. He is in my midst. He thinks the best of me, rejoicing over me with gladness. He calms me in the mist of the turmoil of my day, month, year. He will sing over me. He holds my hand. He guides me. And He has a future for me. I am His favorite. He is the strength in my life and with me forever.

My Prayer
Lord, it is always a challenge to realize you are close, beside me, near me. But, show me this is true and continue to confirm yourself in me, each day. Truth and theology and promises are easy to read, but knowing you are near is tough for me. Be my comfort. Thank you for giving us the Word and the differences of the writers and speaking through those words in unique ways. I praise You. Thank you for being with me.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: February 17

    I am the Risen One who shines upon you always. You worship a living Deity, not some idolatrous, man-made image. Your relationship with Me is meant to be vibrant and challenging, as I invade more and more areas of your life. Do not fear change, for I am making you a new creation, with old things passed away and new things continually on the horizon. When you cling to old ways and sameness, you resist My work within you. I want you to embrace all that I am doing in your life, finding your security in Me alone.
    It is easy to make an idol of routine, finding security within the boundaries you build around your life. Although each day contains twenty-four hours, every single one presents a unique set of circumstances. Don't try to force-fit today into yesterday's mold. Instead, ask Me to open your eyes, so you can find all I have prepared for you in this precious day of Life. 

Matthew 28:5-7
English Standard Version
But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.”

2 Corinthians 5:17
English Standard Version
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Thoughts
We need to constantly be open to God and what He is doing. Be careful to not get comfortable in the sameness of your routines, to the point that you get comfortable with the boundaries that you have built around your life. Being new in Christ means God is doing new things and my life is not to be lived in the old patterns. Always in accordance to His will, His ways. Don't take too many trips down memory lane. Don't get ahead of yourself. Focus on today and what God is doing around you today.

My Prayer
Lord, I want to behold You each day. Thank you for the work you have done in my life and carrying me through the yesterday's. Now, I rely on You for today. Be new in me. There is great wonder in getting something new and I pray that I would enjoy new songs and new understand of Your word and new application. Help me to not get comfortable ever and help me to stay close to you, being careful to being obedient to all that you have commanded. 

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: February 16

    Thank Me for the conditions that are requiring you to be still. Do not spoil these quiet hours by wishing them away,waiting impatiently to be active again. Some of the greatest works in My kingdom have been done from sick beds and prison cells. Instead of resenting the limitations of a weakened body, search for My way in the midst of these very circumstances. Limitations can be liberating when your strongest desire is living close to Me.
    Quietness and trust enhance your awareness of My Presence into you. Do not despise these simple ways of serving Me. Although you feel cut off from the activity of the world, your quiet trust makes a powerful statement in spiritual realms. My Strength and Power show themselves most effective in weakness. 

Zechariah 2:13
English Standard Version
Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord, for he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.

Isaiah 30:15
English Standard Version
For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling,

2 Corinthians 12:9
Amplified Bible
But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!

Thoughts

Enjoy the silence. Enjoy the quiet. Enjoy the break from activity. Welcome His Presence. Enjoy the sickness. I need the break. I need moments of retreat. 

I also find that most people are very quick to try to put forth themselves as not having done anything wrong, not wanting to admit mistakes or failures. People make excuses. And place the blame on others, but rarely themselves. But the Lord reminds us there is nothing wrong with our weaknesses. We know we have them even if we try hard to not be forthright about them. Go ahead and admit them and find your strength in the Lord. Don't abandon Him or His teaching, but continue on your way and continue to trust the Lord. 

My Prayer
Lord, you have reminded me today how much I need to be thankful throughout my days and this includes thanking you for quiet moments and times to just be still. Remind me daily to savor the quiet moments I have with You. It seems Lord too often I always have something going in front of me -- a TV show, movie, my phone, a book, the computer -- and yet rarely do I just take moments to sit and be still. I'm so quick to pray to get well from an illness, but help me to not run from sickness, but to use it as a reminder that I can depend on You and trust in You. Lord, I'm not good at trusting in you. I'm too comfortable with controlling all of my surroundings. Remind me to depend on you through weaknesses. As my children get older, I'm reminded more of how little control I have. That is a good thing because I need to depend on You More. Correct me when I fail and help me to own up to my mistakes before others. Your Grace, yes, your grace is sufficient for me.  You make your strength and power to be made perfect in my weakness. Help me to recognize this instead of not ever tetting go of my control.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Haggai 2

Message: Keep the work of rebuilding the temple going, press on, and an encouragement for Zerubbabel

Time: 520BC and 521BC, three to four years before the second temple was finished in 516BC (same time as Haggai 1)

What the Lord is Saying:

Haggai is a collection of four sermons the Lord sends through Haggai:

1. First Sermon, 1:1-11: Rebuild the Temple! (Leaders/People respond 1:12-15)
2. Second Sermon, 2:1-9: The Temple size is not the issue!
3. Third Sermon, 2:10-19: God's blessings will flow if the people obey and rebuild the Temple
4. Fourth Sermon, 2:20-23: The Universal Reign of the Messiah foreshadowed in Zerubbabel.

Haggai is in the middle of encouraging Judah to continue to rebuild the temple. The final glory of this temple could be great.

Second Sermon: - Temple Size is not the issue (2:1-9)

Haggai speaks to them and asks them to compare what they see now in the Temple to what they remember from the former Temple. They would see that the current temple looks much smaller. But, the charge is not to stop working, but to realize that the Lord is still with them. The Glory of the Lord remains still. His Spirit is present. The Lord is with them. Don't be afraid.

Third Sermon - God's blessings will flow because of Him and they will be able to rebuild the Temple (2:10-19)

Sin corrupts us. Sin defiles us. Sin doesn't just effect an area of our life, but it affects our entire being. Haggai 2:14 says, "Everything they do and everything they offer is defiled by their sin." The sin in our life defiles our whole life.  And yet we live life thinking that a little sin isn't a big deal. But sin in our life means that the fulness of life will not occur. Sin is uncleanness. Finish the temple so that you will be clean, for uncleanness affects many.

God declares that the blessing they receive is not a result of something other than His choosing of them. His promise comes.

Fourth Sermon - The Universal Reign of the Messiah foreshadowed in Zerubbabel (2:20-23)

God is in control. While it looks like kingdoms are acting on their own will, God is actually at work, serving His purpose. We must look at things from His Perspective and Seek His Purpose. The Lord has chosen us. He is charge.

Promise: The Lord remains with us, no matter what our surroundings look like. We must daily be careful and examine ourselves to remove the sin from us. It affects more than we think. Submit and surrender to the Lord. He is in control, so let Him reign.