How to be Strengthened

O. T. #2311 "How to be Strengthened"

Oct. 31, 2022

Zechariah 10-Part 4

And I will strengthen them in the LORD, and they shall walk up and down in His name, saith the Lord. (verse 12)

LET IT GLOW

There are days that I need strength carry on, prevail over depression, be an overcomer of temptation to be self-centered, get out of the pit of self-pity, quit dragging my lip on the ground, and get up and get going. I imagine some of you are like me some days. How do we get out of those places? Where do we find strength to carry on? When we turn to Jesus for our strength we can go on.

The sixth blessing to be brought by the Messiah is national redemption. This will be a realization of the New Covenant. (Jeremiah 31:31-34) He will put His law in their hearts and will be their God, and they shall be His people. Believers are one of His people. Are you one?

The LORD of Hosts is speaking. He is the One who will do regathering, redeeming, and strengthening Israel in the LORD (Messiah Jesus). 

In verse 12, strengthen (in Hebrew) means be strong; prevail, be stronger; be valiant; exceed; confirm.

Strength is treasured up for us in Christ, and from Him it is communicated to us. It is through Christ strengthening in us that we can do all things, and without him we can do nothing. (Philippians 4:13) His strength is for this purpose. (Natthew Henry)

Strengtheneth means enable (increase in) strength; to empower; make strong. 

Psalm 68:28, NAS says, Your God has commanded your strength: Show Thyself strong, O God, who hast acted on our behalf.

Did you catch that-our strength comes from God and He acts on our behalf. Sometimes we need physical strength to carry on our daily tasks. Other times we need emotional and spiritual strength, reassured love. We need to know we are not in this alone. When it is almost gone, Jesus is there to cheer us on, lift us up, change our focus on Him, overcome evil with good.

LET IT GROW

What good use will Israel make of God's strength? They will be messengers of their Messiah in the millennial kingdom. Are we walking up and down, in all the duties of the Christian life, active and busy in kingdom work? Are we industrious, losing no time, letting no opportunity slip by us to witness for Jesus?

Christians are to walk up and down as messengers of Christ, depending on Him and His guidance, keeping our heart in His Word so it rules our life and give Him glory.

Colossians reminds us that in whatever we do, in word or deed, we must do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. I need reminding of that often.

LET IT GO 

Your love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me.

It is well with my soul, for Jesus You provided it.

We need Your strength today, Lord. Please bless all who read this with Your salvation, your strength, Your love.

 

Just a Whistle

 O. T. #2310 "Just a Whistle"

Oct. 28, 2022

Zechariah 10-Part 3

LET IT GLOW

You know how you and hubby can be in a store and get separated? Well, that happens often to us. I remember a certain product and go off to get it or I am looking at clothes and wander off. After I get it, I can't find where He went. So we have a restoring system- I whistle and we find each other. Actually, this practice began with his whistling at me, since I am short and hard to find in a store. Did you know that God will whistle in the future and folks will come? Continue reading to find out more.

In the last days, God will draw Israel together. Judah will be strengthened, saved, brought to their place, and receive mercy. For He is the LORD their God and He will hear them. (verse 6) This is the fourth blessing of the Messiah.

What about Ephraim , who was the most influential tribe of the northern kingdom? They will share in the blessings of Israel. They will be as mighty men and their heart shall rejoice. That joy will be contagious, and their children will see it and be glad, rejoicing in the LORD, too. (verse 7)

How will God restore Ephraim to Israel in the future?
He will whistle, call, and gather them from distant lands. (verses 8-9) The remnants of Ephraim, of the northern kingdom after Assyria and Babylon conquered them, will be drawn to Israel. Also, they will come from Egypt.

Keep in mind that this will occur after the Great Tribulation. This fifth blessing that the Messiah will bring is restoration. Although the Jews number will be few, they will increase in population on the earth as redeemed citizens. (verse 8) The three concepts in verse 8 are promised restoration, regeneration, and repopulation.

LET IT GROW

Anyone opposing Israel will be brought to an end, (verse 11) but Israel will be strengthened by God. (verse 12)

The Messiah will reunite and restore His people under His kingdom rule, and they will walk in His ways. 

Can we conclude from these prophecies of Zachariah that God continues to love His Beloved Israel? And He continues to love us, His church of believers in Jesus. Sometimes we need reminded of that as we struggle in the life.

LET IT GO

Oh, how He loves you and me!

Jesus gave His live, what more could He give?

Oh, how He loves you; Oh, how He loves me; Oh, how He loves you and me!

That You Jesus, for Your love never fails, it never gives us, it never runs out on me!

Source of Strength

O. T. #2309 "Source of Strength"

Oct. 27, 2022

Zechariah 10-Part 2

Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle bow, out of him every oppressor together. (verse 4)

LET IT GLOW

Has God shown you personal care and attention as He did to Judah? We received rain while we were gone to our state denomination meeting. It must have been a lot of rain, since it is still standing in places. Praise the Lord! And we made the long 6 hour car trip without any accident. Thanks be to Jesus! Let me tell you, it was quite a blessing to hear 300 men sing hymns and praise songs together for the glory of the Lord.

Judah was wandering around like sheep without a shepherd. (verse 2) Their leaders had failed to follow God and care for His people. His anger burned against the shepherds. (verse 3) But God will strengthen, deliver, and restore Judah. His compassion will be so great that it will be as though He never rejected them. (verse 6) The King is coming! ((Tony Evans)

Now the fourth blessing is coming to the house of Judah, making them strong and glorious as a goodly horse of a warrior was cared for with special attention so it was ready for battle. (verse 3) 

Did you notice how many time "out of him" is used? It is in reference to Judah. The Deliverer bestows the blessing and deliverance upon His people Judah:

• From Judah will come the Cornerstone-Jesus. It is often the messianic title for Christ, for He is the foundation upon which His kingdom rests. 
• Jesus is a tent peg, which is attached to the tent's center pole on which utensils and valuables were hung. The Messiah is the peg in the midst of His kingdom, for all the glory of the kingdom will hang on Him. (Isaiah 22:23-24)
• Jesus is a battle bow-ruler. The Messiah will sanction every ruler under Himself.

In the Millennial kingdom, Jesus is the chief-man, with prominence and stability. All the government will rest upon Him. Israel's value will rest upon Jesus Christ. He will be the strength and defense for Israel. Their military powers will depend upon the Messiah. (Falwell)

Wow! What a day in which to live! 

LET IT GROW

What is your power source? Is it the worldly philosophies or God? With so many challenges in our life, we often get beaten down, discouraged, feel a failure, unloved. All things are possible with our God, friend.

The outcome of those previous three descriptions of Him reveals Israel's invincibility as the enemy's armies are confounded. (verse 5) 

In verse 6, the Lord says He will strengthen, save, bring, have mercy upon Israel and Joseph's house. (northern kingdom) 

Are you in need of strength? Ask God for it. He promises to strengthen His people in verse 6) When we stay closely connected to God, His Spirit will enable us to do His will, despite the obstacles. If we stray from God, we will be cut off from our power source.

LET IT GO

Keep us close to you, never let us go, we lay it all down again, just to hear You say that we are Your friend. Help us find a way. Bring us back to You, Jesus.

Open our eyes to see You working in our life today. 

Bless all who come to read this. 

 

Pray for Rain and Mercy

O. T. #2308 "Pray for Rain and Mercy"

Oct. 26, 2022

Zechariah 10

LET IT GLOW

What a hard year. We had a dry summer in a drought, and now we are experiencing a dry fall, in a drought. I have asked the Lord for rain every day, yet it lingers to come. the fields are brown for the cattle, deer, and wild animals to eat, as well as ponds and creeks are getting very low on water. I know rain will come when God deems best. The forecast is for rain here on Tuesday and Wednesday. (I am writing this on Sunday, so I don't know if it has come by the time you read this. My faith says He will do it, answer my prayers.)

Ask ye of the LORD rain in time of the later rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.  (verse 1)

Did you notice 3 times the word rain is used here? Each one has a different Hebrew word and meaning?

1. matar', which is rain;
2. malgowsh', which is spring or latter rain;
3. ge'shen, which is to shower violently.

The Lord God knows which rain is needed and when to give it. Perhaps His withholding rain causes us to turn to Him more desperately. then we are to give Him thanks and glory when He sends it.

This is a serious thing. As I look at our trees, I see few walnuts and pecans on our trees and in our area.  When there is no breaking open these nuts, will there be no broken hearts over the sins of our nation? We are all broken people who needs Jesus and His blessings, right? Are we confessing our sins, repenting and turning away from the world to Jesus? 

What is the Lord telling Israel, the remnant? Ask the Lord for rain so the fields become lush pastures. What is He telling us? All good things come from our loving God. Depend upon Him for all things. Share with others what God has done for us.

Often rain is referring to the Holy Spirit. God promises to pour His Spirit on Israel (Zech. 12:10) and bring them to repentance and faith in Christ. The Messiah is coming again to get His children (rapture). Are you covered with the blood of Jesus?

LET IT GROW

In verse 3, we read of the idolatrous practices Israel's ancestors had done:

• Diviners who lied, told false dreams, and comforted in vain. 
• They were led astray by false claims. 
• Instead of comfort and peace, the Israelites were troubled.
• There was no shepherd, a true messenger of God who spoke of the truth of Jehovah.

Those false teachers and leaders were going to be punished by God. His mercy was going to come upon the house of Judah. He was going to give personal care and attention to Judah. (verse 3)

Don't we all need the mercy of God? Are we trusting in His promises?

LET IT GO

Jesus, forgive us when we create idols of money, power, fame, or success. 

Your forgiveness is always there when we fail.

Only You can give us happiness and security.

How faithful You are!

Hope is Here!

O. T. #2307 "Hope is Here!"

Oct. 25, 2022

Zechariah 9-Part 3

LET IT GLOW

There are so many people in prisons of their own making-drugs, alcohol, bitterness, jealousy, etc. What they need is hope. That hope can only come from Jesus Christ. Are we pointing them to Hope?

The third subject of the burden concerns the Messiah's blessings upon Israel (9:11-10:12):

• deliverance (9:11-16);
• a bountiful land (9:17-10:1);
• separation from idols (10:2-3);
• a Deliverer (10:4-7);
• restoration (10:4-7);
• redemption (10:12).

The unconditional Abrahamic covenant was ratified by blood sacrifice. (Gen 15:9-18) It was because God keeps His covenants, that Heset free the Jewish prisoners (still back in Babylon) from death in a waterless dungeon (dry cisterns). (As Joseph and Jeremiah were place in.) How were the prisoners viewed? They were prisoners of hope. They were looking forward to the time of freedom from the Persians. They returned to the stronghold (Israel).

Jesus, You are our living hope.

LET IT GROW

What does God promise in verse 12?

•  He will repay two blessings for each of their troubles. Israel had received double for her sins. (Isaiah 40:2) He will restore double to them. 
• He will conquer their enemies with the Lord providing defense. (verses 13-15)
• He will deliver Israel and cause His people to sparkle like glittering jewels in a crown. (verse 16)
• How lovely and beautiful! God will receive glory and honor then. (verse 17)

In that day, the Day of the Lord, after the church is raptured out, the Great Tribulation will come for 7 years, then the Lord Jesus Christ will return to earth to establish His kingdom during the thousand-year reign of Christ. The godly of Israel and of the Gentile nations, believers in Christ will make up the jewels. 

What a joyous time! No energy shortage, no famine. Jesus will provide abundance in all that is needed. What a time. 

LET IT GO

What do we need to let go of today? People are searching for answers, looking for hope.

You are a good, good Father, and we are loved by You. You are perfect in all of Your ways. 

You have it all planned out, so we can trust You.

Such mercy, grace, love, peace, joy in abundance. 

Jesus, You are our Hope.

Burdens to Blessings

O. T. #2306   "Burdens to Blessings"

Oct. 24, 2022

Zechariah 9-Part 2

Rejoice greatly, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your King is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet He is humble, riding on a donkey-riding on a donkey's colt. (verse 9, NLT)

LET IT GLOW

We have had a few presidents/potential presidents come to our local airports down through the years. I didn't attend those arrivals, because of the large crowds. However, we knew they were present because of the security planes flying over, roadblocks on the entrance, and news coverage. One day a King entered a city, but humbly on a donkey. Read on for the contrast.  

Israel had enemies in all directions, always had down through the ages, and always will, until the Messiah returns to reign as King. The first 9 verses of chapter 9 describe the judgment coming to them (at that time): cities were stripped of possessions, fire burned them to the ground, fall with fear and terror, hopes dashed, kings killed, deserted, pride destroyed.

The cities of the Philistines are mentioned in verses 5-8, enemies of God's people in David's time. In spite of God's judgment on the Philistines, He promised that they, too, would become a remnant for our God, worshiping Him instead of idols, becoming like a clan in Judah, joining the Jews as the Jebusites once did. (verse 7) 

What is good news in all of this? Read verse 9. Obviously, Alexander the Great was not the king describes there, but He is Jesus Christ.  He rode into Jerusalem on a colt of a donkey, humbled. (Kings rode white horses previously.) This happened before Jesus was crucified as an atoning substitute for sinners and rose from the dead. (Matthew 21:1-11) He will again enter Jerusalem, but this time as a triumphant King to establish His kingdom. (Tony Evans)

 One day there will be a vast number from every nation, tribe, people, and language worshipping the Lamb. (Rev. 7:9)

Are you ready, my friend? In the blink of an eye Jesus will appear for all to see and worship Him. Are your family members ready? You can be if you know Jesus as your personal Savior. Believe in your heart Jesus is God's Son, ask His forgiveness of your sins, Confess Him before others.

LET IT GROW

Between verses 9 and 10, lies nearly 2,000 years of the church, the age of grace, completely unforeseen by the prophet. (Falwell)

Zechariah is telling of the two comings of the Messiah together. At the second coming, Ephraim, the 10 northern lost tribes will be united with the 2 southern tribes. Jesus will speak peace, according to verse 10, His dominion will be from sea to sea, from rivers to the ends of the earth. 

This concludes the second message or subject of the burden to blessings upon Israel. Are we looking up for our Redemption to draw nigh? 

LET IT GO

Jesus, Your name is power, breath, and living water; Your Spirit guides us to the heart of the Father. We sing praise to our King, give thanks, and honor You above all things.

Thank You Jesus, for not giving in, giving up, endured the beatings and temptations of sin and the devil, leaving the heavy cross to avoid pain all for us, because You love us.

Part 2 of Burdens and Empires

Part 2 of Burdens and Empires

*Something is wrong-I cannot write on this site as normally done. It is like there is a limit to the number of words. I don't know how to fix this, so here is the rest of the post #2305. Perhaps it is because of the content about Jesus.

LET IT GROW

These 6 chapters comprise one of the greatest concentrations of messianic truth found anywhere in Scripture, but eh truth is always related to God's purposes for His people Israel. Zechariah reveals Messiah as the humble King, the loving Shepherd, the mighty Warrior, the gracious Savior, and the righteous Ruler who will reign on earth as King and Priest. (Wiersbe) 

The coming of the Lamb of God was foreordained before the foundation of the world (1 Peter 1:20), for He was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Rev. 13:8)

There are several cities mentioned here. Those who oppressed Jerusalem-Aram, Philistia, Phoenica-would be crushed. Damascus was the capital city of Syria. Tyrus built huge walls of 150 feet high to protect it. However, Assyrians laid siege to it for 5 years and failed. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon laid siege to it for 13 years and failed. The Medes and Persians conquered the area later. History tells us Alexander the Great defeated the Persians in 33 BC. 

The Jews in Jerusalem refused to pay taxes to Alexander as they had done to Persia. As his army was outside the city one night, the high priest had a dream. The Lord told him to have the people dress in white and open the gates to the visitors. they did and Alexander was so impressed that he welcomed them in peace. He even offered sacrifices to Jehovah in the Temple. The city and people were spared. 

How great is our God! the New Testament was written in the Greek language. Verse 8b says no oppressor shall pass through them any more; for now have I seen with mine eyes. 

LET IT GO

Help us to trust You in all things, Jesus. Show Your power throughout the world. do what You are famous for-shut the mouths of lions (and liars), bring us through the fire, bring the walls down, save the lost, change hearts.

Glory to God in the Highest!