Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule: Zechariah 9-12; Luke 23
Devotional Thought:
Title: “God Keeps His Promises” Zechariah 12
In this section of this great book of the Bible, Zechariah takes us to the end times. He describes the Gentile nations attacking Jerusalem, the Jews experiencing severe trials (the Tribulation Period), and then the Lord returning in power and great glory to deliver His people and establish the promised kingdom. What an amazing story it is! But it isn’t science fiction like star wars; it’s God’s Word, and these things will literally come to pass. As we study these next three chapters (12-14), note the repetition of the phrase “in that day,” which is found sixteen times. The day that is being referred to is “the Day of the Lord,” the day of wrath and judgment that the prophets wrote about (Joel 3:9-16; Zeph. 1), and that Jesus described in Matthew 24:4-31 and finally John wrote about in Revelation 6-19. Just as God promised the Jews that He would pour His wrath out upon their rebellion and disobedience, He also promised them that He would set up His kingdom for which there would be no end! It is exciting to me to see how much the nation of Israel is hated by the world. It convinces me that the rapture must be close because it is the first event in the series of events that surround this awful time of tribulation. “Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people…” (vs. 2-3) God had always promised Israel that He would fight for them, just as He promises us today. We do not need to fear the riotous activities of the world, the relentless attacks of our flesh, or the ruthless animosity of the Devil. We just need to be faithful to trust and obey God’s word. God is not looking to use people who want to be heroes and steal God’s glory, but rather the Lord is looking for people who will be faithful and participate in God’s will for His glory. Zechariah reminds the Jewish people… “though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. In that day, saith the Lord, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness… The Lord also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnify themselves against Judah… And … I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.” (vs. 3-9) In verse 10, we find the revival that was preached about in chapter 1, “…and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his first born.” All of the Jewish people who stand in siege of the enemies of the world will be rescued by King Jesus as He come back, just as He promised. When they see Him coming in all of His glory, they see it is indeed the promised Messiah, “whom they pierced” and rejected so many years ago. This time they received Him as their Savior and Messiah and are eternally rescued for the kingdom that shall reign forever and ever. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Personal Requests:
• Lord, please help me to never doubt your word, your timing, or your ways. You are a promise keeping God and I can trust you with my whole heart!
• Lord, thank you for never losing control, but for your constant and comforting truths that helps me to deal with the events of each day.
• Lord, please help me to grow in my faith each day as I claim the promises of your word.