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Reflection on Zechariah 4:1-14

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Scripture

“It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit”, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

Observation

The Lord brings another vision to Zechariah. He sees a lamp-stand with seven lamps, each with seven wicks. Olive trees stand on either side of the lamp.

The Lord says to Zechariah it is not might nor power but the Spirit of the Lord that will remove the mountain.

Just as Zerubbabel laid the foundation of the temple, he will be the one to complete it. They must not despise the small beginnings because the Lord rejoices in what he is doing.

Application

The way forward in our life is not by human strength nor by wisdom, but by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God will remove the greatest mountain, if only we will submit ourselves to Him.

The problem is that often we see a problem and we think we have to fix it. We assume that whatever is in our way, we can overcome it by our own efforts.

Nearly every problem in life has a spiritual root– whether it is outright demonic attacks or generational curses we have done nothing to deserve.

We need the Holy Spirit in order to flourish in life and in our walk with the Lord.

If we can gain the victory in the spirit realm, we will find every battle becomes easier to win.

God has given us every good weapon for the warfare, but it is up to us to use them, depending on Him and His strength.

Prayer

It is not by might nor strength but by your Spirit alone that my mountains are removed. Help me, Lord, to remember this in the midst of the battle. Amen

Reflection on Zechariah 3:1-10

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Scripture

And the Lord said to satan, ” I, the Lord, reject your accusation, satan.”

Observation

Zechariah has a vision of Jeshua the high priest. Satan, the accuser, makes accusations against Jeshua, but the Lord reject them.

Jeshua’s clothing is filthy, but the angels take these clothes off him, and give him clean clothes. The angel says,” I have taken away your sins.”

The angel of the Lord tells Jeshua that if he stays faithful to the Lord, he will have great authority in the temple. Jeshua is a symbol of the coming Messiah.

Application

This is a lovely picture of the ways of the Lord in bringing us to salvation.

The devil is constantly making accusations against us. The Lord is constantly rejecting those accusations.

When we come to Christ, He takes away our filthy clothes, which represent our sinful nature. Instead He clothes us in the righteousness of Christ. Now, no accusation that is made against us can stand.

Now that satan is unable to bring accusations against us to the Lord, he brings accusations to us. He whispers lies that say we are not good enough, that we won’t be forgiven this time, or that we have committed the unforgivable sin.

We must reject these accusations and declare that in Christ we are clothed with righteousness. When it comes to accusation, we need to listen to the Lord’s judgement, not the claims of satan.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for the assurance of forgiveness. I am clothed in Christ, and satan’s accusations are false. Amen

Reflection on Zechariah 2:1-13

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Scripture

“Then I myself will be a protective wall of fire around Jerusalem,” says the Lord. “And I will be the glory inside the city.”

Observation

Zechariah sees a man who is measuring Jerusalem. He goes to meet another angel who declares that Jerusalem is going to be so full of people and livestock that there won’t be enough room for everyone. Many will llive outside the city walls. The Lord will be a wall of fire around Jerusalem and He will be the glory inside the city.

The Lord calls His people to return home. He says,” Rejoice, Jerusalem, for I am coming to live among you.”Many nations will join themselves to the Lord, and they will be the Lord’s people.

Application

The Lord is promising prosperity to Jerusalem, which will have so many people that they will not fit inside the city walls.

This chapter is looking forward, beyond the rebuilding of Jerusalem,to the church age, when many people from all nations join themselves to the Lord.

The Lord is our protective wall of fire. tTrough two millennia of persecution and many challenges, the church continues to grow and prosper. The devil has not been able to destroy it. In terms of the prophecy, there are so many christians that they do not all fit inside the walls of the established institutions. It truly is a huge crowd that nobody can number.

God is our protective wall. He is also the glory inside the city. Lives are being transformed by Christ, the gospel is being preached, whole nations are changed. We see miracles, answered prayer, the power of the Holy Spirit.

God is at work all around the world. Praise the name of Jesus!

Prayer

Thank you, Holy Spirit for what you are doing in your church. From the local gathering to the international church, you are our glory. Amen

Reflection on Zechariah 1:1-21

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Scripture

“Say this also: ‘ This is what the Lord of Heavens Armies says: The towns of Israel will again overflow with prosperity, and the Lord will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem as his own.'”

Observation

Zechariah is writing after the return of the Jews from exile. The Lord gives him a series of prophecies and visions.

The Lord was angry with their ancestors, but now He calls on the people to return to Him. They must turn from the evil ways.

Zechariah sees a man on a red horse among myrtle trees. The rider is joined by others who report to the angel of the Lord that they have patrolled the Earth, and the whole world is at peace. The angel of the Lord then declares that the Lord is angry with the nations, for they have harmed His people more than He intended. Now He will show mercy to Jerusalem. The temple will be rebuilt, and prosperity will come to all the towns of Israel.

Zechariah sees four horns that represent the nations that scattered Israel and Judah. But he also sees four blacksmiths who have come to destroy those nations.

Application

After 70 years of exile and punishment, the Lord is determined to bless His people. He promises more than just survival. The towns of Israel will overflow with prosperity, and the Lord will comfort his people.

The Lord desires for His people to prosper. This does not mean He wants us all to be rich.

The Lord’s prosperity is such that, regardless of our income, we have enough to live comfortably. He ensures that our bills are paid, that there is enough for our food and other needs.

He does this by firstly ensuring that enough comes in to meet our needs. Also He gives us wisdom, if we will receive it, so that we use what we have prudently

I have experienced God’s provision in the most amazing ways. I have also seen an amount of money stretch to cover more than it should.

God is a good provider when we trust Him for our every need.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for your provision. You promise that when we follow you, we can walk in prosperity. Please help me to use your gifts wisely and to share them generously. Amen

Reflection on John 1:1-18

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Scripture

In the beginning the Word already existed;

The Word was with God

And the Word was God

He existed in the beginning with God.

Observation

Before time was, the Word (i.e. Jesus) already existed with God, because He was God. God created everything through the Word.

The Word is the source of life and He is the light.

God sent John the Baptist to tell about Jesus. Jesus is the light who gives light to everyone

The Word, the light, Jesus, came into the world He had created, but people did not recognise Him; in fact they rejected Him. To everyone who accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of god by being reborn.

From Christ we have received blessing upon blessing. No one has ever seen God, but Christ, who is Himself God, and is near the Father’s heart, He has revealed God to us.

Application

Jesus was not born at Christmas, at least not in the sense that this was the start of his existence. No, as the divine Son of God, Jesus has always existed.

We see a man, but He is also God. Divine and human natures come together in one person.

The Word was with God, and He was God. The Son of God was God, but separate from the Father.

Christmas is all about the coming of God into the world. The divine Son of God became the Son of Man to show us how our lives should be lived and to pay the penalty for our sins.

All of this is too big for human minds to fully comprehend. What we can comprehend is that God loves us and desires us to be reconciled to Him.

When we accept that love and receive Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, then we are born again, and we can walk in friendship with God.

Prayer

Lord, you are greater than human minds can fathom. But your love is something we can hold on to and receive by faith. Thank you for loving me and saving me. Amen

Reflection on Jeremiah 31:7-14

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Scripture

Tears of joy will stream down their faces,

And I will lead them home with great care.

They will walk beside quiet streams,

And on the smooth paths where they will not stumble.

Observation

The Lord is going to bring His people home from every corner of the earth. He will not overlook the blind, lame, expectant mothers, and women in labour. He will guide them beside quiet streams and along smooth paths.

The Lord who scattered His people is gathering them back. He has redeemed Israel and all their crops will be abundant. Everyone will celebrate and dance for joy.

Application

The primary focus of this prophetic word is the release of Israel from its exile in Babylon. The Lord promises to bring them home and to prosper His people in the land He has given them.

To us, it is a reminder of the joy of salvation. God loved us so much that He sent His one and only Son to bring us home to Him.

Christmas is a season of rejoicing. One of the biggest sources of joy for many people is families getting together again. In my family there has been so much laughter and celebration as we have gathered together.

Jesus is calling people home to Himself. We were once far away, but now we are coming home with tears of joy.

The best home coming ever is still in the future. One day all of the followers of Jesus from all of history will be called home to Heaven to start an eternity of joy.

Prayer

What an awesome gift you are to the world, Lord Jesus Son of God! I thank you for the anticipation of the great home coming. Amen

Reflection on Titus 2:11-15

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Scripture

The grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.

Observation

The grace of God has been revealed through the cross, bringing salvation to all who will receive it. Therefore, those who are being saved must turn from godless living. We live in this sinful world, but we should do so with God’s wisdom and righteousness.

We look forward to the day when the glory of Jesus Christ is revealed. He gave his life to free us from sin and make us His own people.

Application

The coming of Jesus into the world, celebrated at Christmas, reveals the grace of God.

We were once far off from God. We were the people living in the great darkness of sin. Then Jesus came. He was born, He lived, and He died to pay the price for our sin. Then, He rose from the dead, demonstrating that God’s grace is greater than sin and death.

This revelation of grace is why Christmas is such a big deal. God has become flesh. He has become like us, to show us the way to the Father.

Christmas is a revelation of grace. This is so exciting! Who would have thought that a manger in little village would become the location for this revelation?

Now, it is my heart, your heart, that becomes the location for the revelation. Jesus Christ is born again in our hearts when we yield ourselves to His Lordship.

Prayer

Thank you, Lord Jesus for this revelation of grace. My good deeds would never save me, but you did. Amen

Reflection on Isaiah 9:1-7

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Scripture

For a child is born to us,

a son is given to us.

The government will rest on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Observation

The darkness will not go on for ever. There will be a time when Galilee of the Gentiles will be filled with glory.

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. The Lord will enlarge the nation of Israel. People will rejoice because the Lord lifts the heavy burden from their shoulders.

A child is born; a son is given. He will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government will never end.

Application

All through the Old Testament, we have the prophecies concerning the Messiah, Jesus. At this time of the year we celebrate His birth, the giving of a son.

His government brings Freedom not bondage, and He will reign forever.

In this passage Jesus is described as:

Wonderful Counsellor – He shows us how to live free of sin and all bondage

Mighty God – He is the embodiment of God, what God looks like “in the flesh.”

Everlasting Father – God is our eternal Father

Prince of Peace – He brings peace and reconciliation between people and God

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I welcome you into my heart today. Let my life come under your reign, King Jesus. Amen

Reflection on Luke 1:39-45

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Scripture

“You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”

Observation

After the announcement by the angel that she will conceive a baby by the agency of the Holy Spirit, Marry goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Elizabeth has had her own miracle, becoming pregnant with John the Baptist, despite being past child- bearing age.

At the sound of Mary’s voice, the baby in Elizabeth leaps for joy. Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit and tells Mary that she and her baby are blessed because she believed that the Lord would do what He has said.

Application

Blessings come tot hose who believe that the Lord will do what He has said. This is called faith.

We do not all have angels coming to announce life- changing, even world- changing, miracles. We do have the promises of God recorded in the Bible.

Faith means that we believe what God has said, and we trust that it will be done.

The first requirement, then, is that we know what God’s word actually says. We need to read the Bible, obey the commands of the Lord, and trust Him to keep His promises.

When we can find a scripture that backs up our prayer request, then we can know that God will certainly answer our prayer. This gives us faith to pray more confidently, knowing that God keeps His promises.

Prayer

Lord, you are a promise keeping God. Have you not said it and therefore you will do it? Thank you for the confidence this gives us to approach your throne with the desires of our hearts. Amen.

Reflection on Hebrews 10:5-10

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Scripture

For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once or all time.

Observation

Christ came into the world to take away our sins. He said to God,” You do not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings. I will offer my body. I have come to do your will, O God.”

Christ cancels the first covenant, the covenant of Moses, in order to bring a new covenant into effect. Gods will is for all of us to be made holy by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Application

Jesus came with the sole mission of dying to atone for the sins of all people.

His death is good enough for my sins and for yours. There is no expiry date on His sacrifice.

There is nothing we can add to this sacrifice. It is good for all people for all time. There will never be another Jesus, another atoning sacrifice.

We are made holy by the sacrifice, not by our good deeds. It is all grace from God.

We are not made right by offering sacrifices nor by observing the Jewish festivals. These things have been done away with forever.

Now there is only one sacrifice that puts us right with God – that of Jesus our Lord.

Prayer

Hallelujah! Lord, you have liberated me from bondage to sin and to law. You make us holy by your own sacrifice. Thank you. Amen