Wednesday, December 18, 2024

A Bowl of Popcorn

"The LORD of Heaven's Armies sent me this message in reply:" Zechariah 7:4

Reading Zechariah 7-10 this morning God spoke so many messages to my heart. Kernels of truth were popping up throughout each chapter. Choosing just one verse was impossible. Like the salty goodness and flavour of a bowl of freshly made popcorn, I could not stop at just a taste. Please indulge me as I share several verses that drew my attention today.

Pop!

"During these seventy years of exile, when you fasted and mourned in the summer and in early autumn, was it really for Me that you were fasting? And even now in your holy festivals, aren't you eating and drinking just to please yourselves?" (Zechariah 7:5b-6)

Question: Are we doing the right thing for the wrong reason? Remembering that man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart, what is the motive for all that we do? Man? Self? God?

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"All this may seem impossible to you now, a small remnant of God's people. But is it impossible for Me? says the LORD of Heaven's Armies." (Zechariah 8:6b)

Question: When situations appear beyond any ability to change, do we hold fast to the knowledge that with God all things are possible?

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"Be strong and finish the task!" (Zechariah 8:9a)

Question: How many obediences do we start and abandon? Is the Lord calling us to complete a task?

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"Now I will rescue you and make you both a symbol and source of blessing." (Zechariah 8:13b)

Question: Do we realize any time God rescues us that we become both a symbol and a source of blessing? Through His deliverance we represent the Lord's blessing in our lives to others, and we also are used as a reservoir of blessing to others. Are we both a representative and reservoir, a symbol and a source of blessing?

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"Please let us walk with you, for we have heard that God is with you." (Zechariah 8:23b)

Question: Could that request be asked of us? Is there such clear evidence of Christ in us that others would long to spend time by our side in order to get to know the Lord?

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"Look, your King is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet He is humble, riding on a donkey - riding on a donkey's colt." (Zechariah 9:9b)

Question: Christ's arrival changes everything! Do we see the coming of our King and Messiah in Zechariah's prophecy?

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"Come back to the place of safety, all you prisoners who still have hope!" (Zechariah 9:12a)

Question: Christ is our hope, and we can never stop believing what He can do! Do we fall prey to discouragement or are we prisoners of hope?

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"They will pass safely through the sea of distress...By My power I will make My people strong..." (Zechariah 10:11a, 12a)

Question: Do we need reminders of God's deliverance from distress by the power of His hand?

Each "bite" has given food for thought. Praying His Word blesses and encourages all our hearts today. Pop!

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