Read: Zechariah 8
God is
jealous for His people! (8:1-2) He never, ever gives up on those with whom He
has a relationship! Some people see God’s jealousy as a threat, as something
that will result in an impossible life.
However, God’s jealousy is a wonderful
reality, declaring that He pursues us passionately in a love relationship.
He is actually “burning with jealousy!” In the context of Zechariah, this
includes jealousy for His land. We are told that He will establish Jerusalem as
the City of Truth and the mountain of the Lord will be called the Holy
Mountain. (8:3) The amazing promises continue to include safety, joy,
prosperity and restoration of festivals! God will bring back His people from
all over the world (8:7-8), something that has already begun (from 1948 - on
especially) but still needs to be completed. Brothers and sisters, there is
much more coming! Praise God! God uses these promises to spur his people on to
keep building the temple, to not be afraid! (8:13, 15) Fear can certainly
dissipate when we get our eyes on God and His promises!
Of course,
with the promise of blessing comes responsibility. God tells them through
Zechariah to “love truth” and to love others (8:16-19). Knowing God and His plans
should definitely cause us to worship Him with our actions! Finally, there is
the incredible picture of many nations coming to Jerusalem to seek the Lord and
the special blessing the Jews will have as ones whom God will use to teach
about Him. (8:20-23) God wants all to come to Him and know Him! What a great
God!
Prayer and Journaling
1. Ask
God what it means when it says that He is jealous. How has He shown His
jealousy in your life?
2. Is
there anything you are avoiding or shrinking back from because of fear? Like
the Jews building the temple, look to God in this area. Ask Him what He wants
to say about the area.
3. Grab
a map of the world and pick a few nations to pray for. Pray that MANY from that
nation would one day seek the Lord!
