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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise The psalmist said, “Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting. The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel. He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds” (Ps 147:1–3). How wonderful to serve a God who “takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love” (Ps 147:11). Praise the Lord! Today in Your Word Today you told me about Zechariah’s final prophecy to the remnant. His prophecy tells of the last great battle of the Tribulation, that period of time in which your wrath will be poured out on the wicked. At the end of the Tribulation, the nations of the earth will gather together to attack Jerusalem. In that day, Jesus will descend to earth and fight against His enemies. A plague will rot their flesh, their eyes, and their tongues, and they will turn in panic and kill each other. Then Christ will establish His millennial Kingdom, and the world will come to worship Him at Jerusalem. Israel will be cleansed of all sin and impurity, and holiness will fill the city and the land: “And on that day there shall be inscribed on the bells of the horses, ‘Holy to the Lord.’ And the pots in the house of the Lord shall be as the bowls before the altar. And every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be holy to the Lord of hosts” (Zech 14:20–21). Zechariah’s prophecy assures me that righteousness will triumph over evil, and it encourages me to live my life in light of your coming Kingdom. Holiness comes from a loving relationship with you, and I can honor the holiness that will characterize Christ’s reign by putting you first in my heart and my home. The people finished building the temple in 515 bc, five years after Zechariah began his preaching ministry. They had been faithful to obey your command, and you blessed the dedication ceremony and the passover (Ezra 6:19–22). This reminds me of what Paul said, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Gal 6:9). How wonderful it will be to reach the end of my race and see the smiling face of Jesus! Hallelujah! Reflection There is coming a day when fathers and mothers will kill their own children if they speak falsely in your name (Zech 13:3). Is this the attitude of my heart? Am I ruthless with sin and unyielding to temptation? Request Father, I ask that you would pour out on me your Spirit of grace and supplication. May my heart always be tender to your voice and open to your call. Help me to walk worthy of the gospel! Thanksgiving Thank you for the privilege of being united spiritually with your Son, Jesus Christ. I want to be at His side when He returns to earth and establishes His Kingdom of peace! (Rev 19:11–21). In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “There Is a Fountain” — William Cowper. Meditation Verse: Zechariah 13:9. |