A word given to me to give to others. A word for me for others. A word that reminds me and compels me. A word beyond me but yet within me. A promise to remind us of the nature of our God who perseveres to proclaim His passion and strength:
"IT IS TIME TO BE A ZECHARIAH"
"IT IS TIME TO REBUILD THE
TEMPLE."
We sing "Our God" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlA5IDnpGhc) and hear that He is stronger, that our God is greater, that our God is healer, that He is awesome in power. We find that He can shine light even on the darkest corners of our heart. We find that He calls fragile and consumed souls to rise from the ashes of our excuses, our painful missteps, our religious perspiration, our numb living, our past performances.
BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE...THE BATTLE TODAY IS NOT WITH ANOTHER NATION. THE BATTLE IS WITHIN.
Zechariah's feelings of deserted desperation from God's unfulfilled promises and the crippling crisis around him were never really caused by the governmental degrees, surrounding circumstances, or the nearby bullies, the Samaritans.
Zechariah's victory began with a humbled heart seeking God's Word, speaking God's word, steadfastly pursuing His word. and ended with not only his soul but a nation's soul awakened to God's promise of rebuilding His temple so He could once again dwell with His people.
AND our Zechariah battle is the one waging from days of shaking our heads and claiming a no instead of a yes.
Our Zechariah battle wages against the calloused feet whose pain resolves them to stand still.
It is a battle that holds a mouth closed to speak because it fuels the flame of fear instead of encouraging the embers of trust and hope.
It is a battle against blinded eyes that relent to the appearance of comfortable and convenient circumstances.
Our Zechariah battle is a war waged with the furor of finding favor from a faithful God who works for our good.
Our Zechariah battle rages with the limitations that mere obedience places on our actions, a battle that fights to find our refuge in the more powerful and transcending power of LOVE.
Our battle cry, "The Dessert Song" ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ub9ntcIvD0s , is testament that we know these kind of battles in the dessert
BUT NOW IS THE TIME TO BE A ZECHARIAH!
Jesus bought our lives not merely with his love for obedience to God but His love for us.
HE CALLS US TO BUILD BRICKS OF FAITH WITH THAT KIND OF FIRE.
"IT IS TIME TO REBUILD THE TEMPLE INSIDE."
He promises to restore, refine, renew, and rebuild his people, these old defeated temples and dwell in our hearts anew. And we hear "You Never Let Go" and God promises the assurance that our temple will be rebuilt and God will come to dwell among his people just as assuredly as the people of Judah returned to the land of their forefathers.
IT'S TIME TO HEED TO A ZECHARIAH.
And strangely enough his name means "Yahweh remembers." God does not forget us or leave us alone in the dessert though we do not sense His working. Our perspective must be to remember that God makes His promise to dwell within us, and when we find Him far away, He still has not changed His promise.
GOD IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE HIS MIND ABOUT YOU!
God is pursuing us and loves us and desires to be one with us. And I hear "You Won't Relent" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC0WoJfYA2E) beginning to assure my heart because I do want to sit with Him, hold His hands while He speaks, and believe His words.
Yet, daily life can usurp our zeal and hope. We can find "I am right back where I was before." We find long periods of wondering and wandering with no assurance of the end of anguish in sight.
Find Zechariahs and let them encourage your soul. When today does not rain the assurance of His reign but rather spiritual famine and imminent death and when we are blinded from God's favor and hope by daily circumstances, find Zechariahs and let them speak His promises.
GOD PROMISES TO BUILD YOUR TEMPLE.
"You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13).
And we will sing "You Never Let Go" while we daily work to rebuild the temple.
IT'S TIME TO BE A ZECHARIAH.
IT IS TIME.
IT IS TIME
TO REFINE
TO RENEW
TO RESTORE
TO REBUILD.
Comments