Zechariah 4-10

Today is one of those days.  My body and my brain are exhausted from my week.  Do you ever feel that way?  Zechariah 4-10 is symbolism overload for me this morning.  In my post, Life Changing Words, I mentioned how I don't always get everything I read in the Bible right away.  Well, this is one of those times.  But I think it's important to point out, it is okay that there's stuff I don't get.  Life in faith is like that too.  We experience things we don't understand, but that does not mean God is not with us or that we are somehow not capable enough for God.  We just have to hang on to what we know to be true in trust.  

Back to today's chapters in Zechariah, remember Zechariah is a prophet like Haggai who is talking to God's exiled chosen people, calling them to build God's Holy temple again.  The big picture is that God wants His people to make Him their priority, turning to Him and repenting, so His Spirit can work in them.  Zechariah says God's people will "seek the Lord Almighty and entreat to him (8:21-22)."  

Because without God, our efforts are inefficient and insufficient.  Zechariah shares several symbolic visions, the details of which are a little confusing.  But from what I can tell, Zechariah speaks about what will happen in the future, and He is trying to encourage God's people to listen and act on what he is saying. On a side note, the parts of Zechariah's prophesy about our Messiah we now know to be true.

Today's reading speaks to volumes to me about following God's call in our lives.  Why?  Because when God calls us to do something for Him, and we do it, we ARE able because God takes care of us.  God empowers us with His Spirit when we follow Him.  That's God's promise to us.  Our strength comes from Him.

I love these powerful few words, 

'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty.

Zechariah 4:6

And these words too, 

Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong.

Zechariah 8:13

I am reminded that we have a choice to make in all that we do.  How will we choose to work?  By our own efforts or with God empowering and guiding the works of our hands?

A prayer for today-

Dear Lord Almighty,

Thank you for the strength I have in You.  I pray you will be with me today and fill me with Your peace.  Help me to hear Your voice and to do Your will.  You are all I need.  I also pray for others who need Your strength today.  Please be with them and fill them with Your love and comfort.  Strengthen our hands by Your Holy Spirit.

You are our Rock, our Redeemer, and our Sustainer.

In the name of Jesus I pray,

Amen

Blessings,

*This post is part of A Mind-Maker-Upper's Everyday Reading Project.  Click here to read more.