Categories ArchivesDaily Devotions

Zech 8:18–20 8:18 The message of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies came to me as follows: 19 “The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, ‘The fast of the fourth, fifth, seventh, and tenth months will become joyful and happy, pleasant feasts for the house of Judah; so love truth and peace.’ 20 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, ‘It will someday come to pass that people—residents of many cities—will come.     One thought: One of God’s modus operandi is to turn mourning into joy   Three questions: Compare these verses to the beginning of chapter 7   Are you in mourning or joyful today? Or both?   Grow your joy today by reflecting on what you have in Jesus Christ. ...

Zech 8:15–17 8:15 so, to the contrary, I have planned in these days to do good to Jerusalem and Judah—do not fear! 16 These are the things you must do: Speak the truth, each of you, to one another. Practice true and righteous judgment in your courts. 17 Do not plan evil in your hearts against one another. Do not favour a false oath—these are all things that I hate,’ says the Lord.”   One thought: How sad it is when those who have received grace do not give it to others     Three questions: Why does God want His people to practice these things do you think? How are you going at reflecting God’s character to others?   ...

Zech 8:12–14 8:12 ‘for there will be a peaceful time of sowing, the vine will produce its fruit, and the ground its yield, and the skies will rain down dew. Then I will allow the remnant of my people to possess all these things. 13 And it will come about that just as you, both Judah and Israel, were a curse to the nations, so I will save you and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid! Instead, be strong.’ 14 “For the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, ‘As I had planned to hurt you when your fathers made me angry,’ says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, ‘and I was not sorry’.   One thought: God’s desire has ...

Zech 8:9–11 8:9 “The Lord of Heaven’s Armies also says, ‘Gather strength, you who are listening to these words today from the mouths of the prophets who were there at the founding of the house of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, so that the temple might be built. 10 Before that time there was no compensation for man or animal, nor was there any relief from adversity for those who came and went, because I had pitted everybody—each one—against everyone else. 11 But I will be different now to this remnant of my people from the way I was in those days,’ says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies,   One thought: To build the temple of God takes strength – ...

Zech 8:7–8 8:7 “The Lord of Heaven’s Armies asserts, ‘I am about to save my people from the lands of the east and the west. 8 And I will bring them to settle within Jerusalem. They will be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and righteousness.’ One thought: The core of paradise is God, with His people, in His city. Three questions: How will God bring about this reality?   What are you most looking forward to?   Reflect on the new heavens and new earth. Prayer: Praise God that He gives the greatest gift to His children, that is, Himself. Give thanks that God is with you even now through Jesus Christ and in the ...

Zech 8:3–6 8:3 The Lord says, ‘I have returned to Zion and will live within Jerusalem. Now Jerusalem will be called “truthful city,” “mountain of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies,” “holy mountain.”’ 4 Moreover, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, ‘Old men and women will once more live in the plazas of Jerusalem, each one leaning on a cane because of advanced age. 5 And the streets of the city will be full of boys and girls playing. 6 And,’ says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, ‘though such a thing may seem to be difficult in the opinion of the small community of those days, will it also appear difficult to me?’ asks the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. One thought: ...

Zech 8:1–2 8:1 Then the message of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies came to me as follows: 2 “The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, ‘I am very much concerned for Zion; indeed, I am so concerned for her that my rage will fall on those who hurt her.’ One thought: It’s not wrong to jealously care for something/someone you rightly possess Three questions: What does God’s care look like in this passage? How does this passage make you feel? Why? Want to learn more about the jealousy of God? Check this out https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/the-jealousy-of-god/ Prayer: Praise God that He is jealous for His people and that He acts to save them from themselves and their enemies. Thank God that He cares ...

Zech 7:11–14 7:11 “But they refused to pay attention, turning away stubbornly and stopping their ears so they could not hear. 12 Indeed, they made their hearts as hard as diamond, so that they could not obey the law of Moses and the other words the Lord of Heaven’s Armies had sent by his Spirit through the former prophets. Therefore, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies poured out great wrath. 13 “‘Just as I called out, but they would not obey, so they will call out, but I will not listen,’ the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says. 14 ‘Rather, I will sweep them away in a storm into all the nations they are not familiar with.’ Thus the land became desolate ...

Zech 7:7–10 7:7 Should you not have obeyed the words that the Lord cried out through the former prophets when Jerusalem was peacefully inhabited and her surrounding cities, the Negev, and the foothills were also populated?’” 8 Again the Lord’s message came to Zechariah: 9 “The Lord of Heaven’s Armies said, ‘Exercise true judgment and show brotherhood and compassion to each other. 10 You must not oppress the widow, the orphan, the resident foreigner, or the poor, nor should anyone secretly plot evil against his fellow citizen.’ One thought: True religion is one of love. To love God is to be like God towards people – this includes showing compassion to the outcast and the weak. Three questions: What does ...

Zech 7:4–6 7:4 The message of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies then came to me, 5 “Speak to all the people and priests of the land as follows: ‘When you fasted and lamented in the fifth and seventh months through all these 70 years, did you truly fast for me—for me, indeed? 6 And now when you eat and drink, are you not doing so for yourselves? One thought: God sees the heart. This is a very scary thing. Three questions: What problem does God identify? Do you ever want things from God for selfish reasons? Do one thing today that you don’t want to do, that God would want you to do, because of your love for Him. Prayer: ...