Joy and Gladness

O. T. #2304  "Joy and Gladness"

Oct. 20, 2022

Zechariah 8-Part 5

LET IT GLOW

I have never had such a fun time studying God's Word as our group at church does on Wednesday night. Not a night goes by that we are not laughing, sharing, spilling the beans. Of course, we bear one another's burdens, too-cancer of daughters, dementia of a parent, sickness, accidents, everyday problems. I guess you could say we are real, not pretending everything is hunky doria. And we hunger for the Truth, God's Word. How about your church?

Here is the fourth message given by Zechariah. The Lord finally answers the question raised in 7:3-should the Jews weep and fast as they did in Babylon? Those 3 specific months were fasting times to remember when the Caldeans invaded Jerusalem, when the Temple was burned, and their being taken away to Babylon. God had not commanded those fasts and was not pleased by any of them. It was all due to the self-pity of the Jews. 

It was a nice little religious ritual, but God did not instigate them. Instead of weeping, long faces, and a pious look, how did God want them to come before Him with-joy. Look at verse 19. Judah was to be a house of joy and gladness, cheerful feasts, loving the truth and peace. Instead of sadness, God wanted the Jews to have festivals of joy and celebration. 

Are we enjoying being a Christian? Or are we allowing the world beating us down? We should come together to study God's Word and have fun doing it. 

LET IT GROW

The rest of the chapter is in reference to the Millennium when Christ will reign as Priest-King. Verse 21 tells us what it will be like:

• People will say, "Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD,

and go seek the LORD of Hosts."

• This will happen in the nations going to Jerusalem. 
• Gentiles will want to go with the Jews to the Temple.
• The Jews will believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Messiah during that time.

Let's not live in the past, friend. Live in the future, for we can rejoice at the promises God gives us for a joyful future!

What a blessing when others want what God's people have. God blesses His faithful ones. He is blessing our church, bringing in other believers for fellowship and salvation, young and older ones. God is alive and moving among His people. 

LET IT GO

Today is a new day. Let us pray and seek the LORD.