Key Verses: Zechariah 1:17, 2:5
Again proclaim, saying, “Thus says the Lord of hosts:
‘My cities shall again spread out through prosperity;
The Lord will again comfort Zion,
And will again choose Jerusalem.'”
“…For I,” says the Lord, “will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.”
That word “prosperity,” in our first key verse, may have been a strange concept for these people who had been through very hard times. Ezra, the priest, who had led the original group of Jews back to Jerusalem from Babylon, wrote these words: “So the elders of Israel built, and they PROSPERED through the prophesying of Haggai, the prophet, and Zechariah, the son of Iddo” (Ezra 6:14a). Initially, Zechariah, a younger man, may have ministered as an assistant to Haggai. Zechariah’s book is the longest of all the minor prophets. It is truly a major message from God to all of us.
With preaching, such as in our second key verse, it’s no wonder that the people responded by working together in unity to complete the Temple construction and restore the worship of the One True God. The “wall of fire” would provide protection against temptations from within, because of the glory of God inside, and protection from the attacks of the world from outside. As we daily live in the presence of God, worshipping and serving Him, He’s got us covered!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray that I will never take You for granted, but take You at Your Word! May I rely on Your promises daily, promises such as those found in our key verses. I believe that You are my “Prosperity,” and “The wall of fire” protecting me. Grant that I may be always at peace and that I may be encouraged in my service to You. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I am a greatly blessed man. I’m prospering as a result of the preaching of God-called preachers/pastors. I believe and preach that one should be totally loyal to one’s home Church and Pastor, being present whenever a service is convened. But I also believe and teach that with that solid foundation of loyalty, we can be blessed and encouraged by others. During one period of my life, I went to three Sunday Schools every Sunday: our own church at 10 a.m., the Christian and Missionary Alliance at 2 p.m. and the Salvation Army at 3 p.m. I can hear it now, “This boy had the makings of a fanatic!” Well it just depends on one’s definition of the word “fanatic”…e.g. a sports “fan-atic,” or “someone who is more enthusiastic about their cause than you are about yours.” Anyway, the people of Jerusalem worked with unusual enthusiasm in their cause due to the preaching of those two preachers, and the result was that they prospered!!!
Yours for loving and serving God with all our hearts, minds, souls, and strength!
David
Up Next in Year 2 | April
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100 Words - YR2 April 26 - By My Spirit
Key Verse: Zechariah 4:6
So he answered and 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 of hosts.”
In chapter four, the Governor of Judea, Zerubbabel, and the High Priest, Joshua, are likened to two olive trees whose liv...
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100 Words - YR2 April 27 - OLD MEN, O...
Key Verses: Zechariah 8:4-5 and 8:21b
Thus says the Lord of hosts:
“Old men and old women shall again sit
In the streets of Jerusalem,
Each one with his staff in his hand
Because of great age.
The streets of the city
Shall be full of boys and girls
Playing in its streets.” …Let us continue to go ... -
100 Words - YR2 April 28 - A MARE USQ...
Key Verses: Zechariah 9:9 & 10b
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your King is coming to you;
He is just and having salvation,
Lowly and riding on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey… His dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the river to th...