"SHARING GRACE FOR TODAY THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE BLESSED HOPE WE HAVE IN OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST"
Zechariah 4:3 “And now the LORD says: I am returning to Mount Zion, and I will live in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the Faithful City; the mountain of the LORD Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain.”
Zechariah 4:4 “This is what the LORD Almighty says: Once again old men and women will walk Jerusalem’s streets with a cane and sit together in the city squares.”
Zechariah 4:5 “And the streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls at play.”
Zechariah 4:6 “This is what the LORD Almighty says: All this may seem impossible to you now, a small and discouraged remnant of God’s people. But do you think this is impossible for me, the LORD Almighty?”
Zechariah 4:7 “This is what the LORD Almighty says: You can be sure that I will rescue my people from the east and from the west.”
Zechariah 4:8 “I will bring them home again to live safely in Jerusalem. They will be my people, and I will be faithful and just toward them as their God.”
Zechariah 4:9 “This is what the LORD Almighty says: Take heart and finish the task! You have heard what the prophets have been saying about building the Temple of the LORD Almighty ever since the foundation was laid.”
Taken from today's reading in "The One Year Bible”.
1. We have a glorious future awaiting us when Christ returns to the earth.
Zechariah 4:3” And now the LORD says: I am returning to Mount Zion, and I will live in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the Faithful City; the mountain of the LORD Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain.”
Zechariah 4:4 “This is what the LORD Almighty says: Once again old men and women will walk Jerusalem’s streets with a cane and sit together in the city squares.”
Zechariah 4:5 “And the streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls at play.”
These verses have a dual application.
They speak of God's returning the captives back to Jerusalem, and blessing them.
But they also speak of God's plan for His people during the 1000 years that Jesus will be reigning on the earth following His return to the earth.
Please notice some of the blessings that are mentioned.
Christ is returning
He will live in Jerusalem.
God will populate Jerusalem with His people.
There will be a blessed life taking place to say the least.
2. What we think is impossible is nothing for the Lord to accomplish.
Zechariah 4:6 “This is what the LORD Almighty says: All this may seem impossible to you now, a small and discouraged remnant of God’s people. But do you think this is impossible for me, the LORD Almighty?”
Zechariah 4:7 “This is what the LORD Almighty says: You can be sure that I will rescue my people from the east and from the west.”
Zechariah 4:8 “I will bring them home again to live safely in Jerusalem. They will be my people, and I will be faithful and just toward them as their God.”
Having a blessed future may seem impossible especially if you are discouraged right now,
But God asks us to think if anything is impossible for Him.
After all He is the LORD God Almighty.
There is no one greater than Him.
Our God promises to rescue us from all parts of the earth.
We can be sure of that promise.
One day we will be brought to God's home for us in Jerusalem.
We will live safely there.
We will be God's people
God will be faithful and just towards us.
3. God wants us to take heart and finish our work here and now.
Zechariah 4:9 “This is what the LORD Almighty says: Take heart and finish the task! You have heard what the prophets have been saying about building the Temple of the LORD Almighty ever since the foundation was laid.”
In the meantime, as we are down here on the earth, here's what the Lord says to us.
Take heart and finish the task.
Or be courageous and complete the work that God has given you to do now.
We have the blessing of God's Word through His prophets to encourage us.
God's plans are given to us in the Bible.
Believing them, is what gives us strength and hope
Questions:
1. Do you give much thought to the future beyond this life?
2. Do you know the Bible speaks of Jesus ruling on the earth with His people for 1000 Years?
3. Do you know the Bible's description of this time will be a life better than the garden of Eden?
4. Are you by chance discouraged at this time in your life?
5. Do you know that You can find strength hope and courage from and in God's precious Word?
A Prayer:
Lord, thank You for telling us what the future holds. What a glorious future we have waiting for us.
The best is yet to come that is for sure. And You are faithful to finish what You started and what You have promised.
Lord, help us to not focus on the seeming impossibilities that may be in our lives now, but rather to focus upon You and Your faithfulness and plans for us. You have promised to rescue us and to bless us. Thank You, Father. In the name of Your Son Jesus Christ, amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
