Faithfulness and Hope in Zechariah's Prophecies

Devotional

Day 1: Faithfulness Amidst Uncertainty

In the book of Zechariah, the people of Jerusalem are rebuilding their city and temple after returning from Babylonian exile. Despite their efforts, the city and temple are far from their former glory, leading to unfulfilled expectations and uncertainties. Zechariah's visions remind the people that God's promises often come in unexpected ways. They are called to remain faithful and obedient, trusting in God's faithfulness even when their circumstances seem bleak. This message is relevant to us today as we navigate our own lives filled with uncertainties and challenges. We are encouraged to trust in God's past faithfulness and continue living obediently, knowing that His plans often unfold in ways we do not expect. [30:56]

Zechariah 4:10 (ESV): "For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. These seven are the eyes of the Lord, which range through the whole earth."

Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you feel uncertain or disappointed. How can you trust in God's faithfulness and continue to live obediently in this situation today?

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Day 2: Returning to God

A recurring theme in Zechariah is the call to return to God. The Lord says, "Return to me, and I will return to you." This powerful reminder emphasizes that God is always ready to welcome us back, no matter how far we've strayed. Our relationship with God is dynamic, and He continually invites us to draw near to Him. This call to return to God is not just a one-time event but a daily practice of seeking His presence and aligning our lives with His will. It is an invitation to experience His grace and renewal every day. [34:31]

Zechariah 1:3 (ESV): "Therefore say to them, Thus declares the Lord of hosts: Return to me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts."

Reflection: Reflect on your current relationship with God. Is there an area of your life where you need to return to Him? What steps can you take today to draw nearer to God and experience His grace?

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Day 3: Empowered by God's Spirit

Zechariah's vision of the two olive trees and the lampstand symbolizes God's constant presence and the empowerment of His Spirit. This vision conveys that success in our spiritual journey comes not by our might or power but by relying on God's Spirit. It encourages us to seek His guidance and strength in all we do, recognizing that true empowerment comes from Him. As we face various challenges and tasks, we are reminded to depend on God's Spirit for wisdom, strength, and direction, rather than relying solely on our abilities. [39:57]

Zechariah 4:6 (ESV): "Then he said to me, 'This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.'"

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you have been relying on your own strength. How can you seek God's Spirit for guidance and empowerment in this area today?

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Day 4: Living as Kingdom People

Zechariah challenges us to live as if God's kingdom is already here. This means embodying truth, justice, and peace in our daily lives. Our actions should reflect the values of God's kingdom, preparing us and those around us for His ultimate reign. Living as kingdom people involves making choices that align with God's will and demonstrating His love and righteousness in our interactions with others. It is a call to be agents of change and hope in a world that desperately needs it. [50:07]

Zechariah 8:16-17 (ESV): "These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace; do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these things I hate, declares the Lord."

Reflection: Consider how you can embody the values of God's kingdom in your daily life. What specific actions can you take today to promote truth, justice, and peace in your community?

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Day 5: Hope in Restoration

The book of Zechariah ends with a vision of a restored Jerusalem, a new Garden of Eden where God's presence brings healing and life. This vision gives us hope that no matter how broken our world seems, God is at work restoring all things. We are invited to participate in this restoration by living faithfully and spreading His love. This hope in restoration encourages us to look beyond our current struggles and trust in God's ultimate plan for renewal and healing. It reminds us that our efforts to live faithfully and share God's love contribute to His restorative work in the world. [57:37]

Zechariah 14:9 (ESV): "And the Lord will be king over all the earth. On that day the Lord will be one and his name one."

Reflection: Think about a broken situation in your life or community. How can you participate in God's work of restoration in this situation today? What steps can you take to spread His love and hope?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, everyone. Today, we continue our series on the Minor Prophets, focusing on the book of Zechariah. This book, set in the post-exilic period of Jerusalem, is rich with visions and prophecies that address the people's expectations and God's promises. Zechariah's context is crucial: the people have returned from Babylonian exile and are rebuilding Jerusalem, but the city and temple are far from their former glory. They are grappling with unfulfilled expectations, wondering if this is the promised new Jerusalem under a messianic ruler.

Zechariah's book is divided into two sections. The first section (chapters 1-8) contains a series of night visions that reveal God's plans and promises. These visions include symbolic imagery like four horsemen, four horns, a man measuring the city, and Joshua the high priest in dirty clothes. Each vision conveys a message of hope, restoration, and the importance of faithfulness to God's covenant. The people are called to return to God, and He promises to return to them.

The second section (chapters 9-14) shifts to poetic imagery and prophecies about the coming Messianic kingdom. It describes a humble king riding a donkey, a good shepherd rejected by the people, and the ultimate restoration of Jerusalem. The book concludes with a vision of a new Jerusalem, a city of peace and prosperity, where God's presence is fully realized.

Zechariah challenges us to live faithfully and obediently, trusting in God's promises and His timing. The book reminds us that God's plans often unfold in ways we don't expect, but His faithfulness remains constant. As we navigate our own lives, filled with uncertainties and challenges, we are called to rise above the day-to-day struggles, trust in God's past faithfulness, and live as if His kingdom is already here.

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Key Takeaways

1. Faithfulness in Uncertainty: Zechariah's visions remind us that God's promises often come in unexpected ways. The people of Jerusalem were rebuilding amidst ruins, yet God called them to faithfulness. In our own lives, we may face unfulfilled expectations and uncertainties, but we are called to trust in God's faithfulness and continue living obediently. [30:56]
2. Return to God: The recurring theme in Zechariah is the call to return to God. "Return to me, and I will return to you," says the Lord. This is a powerful reminder that God is always ready to welcome us back, no matter how far we've strayed. Our relationship with God is dynamic, and He invites us to draw near to Him continually. [34:31]
3. God's Spirit Empowers Us: The vision of the two olive trees and the lampstand symbolizes God's constant presence and the empowerment of His Spirit. Success in our spiritual journey comes not by our might or power but by relying on God's Spirit. This encourages us to seek His guidance and strength in all we do. [39:57]
4. Living as Kingdom People: Zechariah challenges us to live as if God's kingdom is already here. This means embodying truth, justice, and peace in our daily lives. Our actions should reflect the values of God's kingdom, preparing us and those around us for His ultimate reign. [50:07]
5. Hope in Restoration: The book ends with a vision of a restored Jerusalem, a new Garden of Eden where God's presence brings healing and life. This gives us hope that no matter how broken our world seems, God is at work restoring all things. We are invited to participate in this restoration by living faithfully and spreading His love. [57:37]
### [57:37]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[27:19] - Financial Goal Update
[28:01] - Shout-outs and Birthdays
[28:39] - Introduction to Zechariah
[29:30] - Context of Zechariah
[30:12] - Cultural and Historical Background
[30:56] - Unfulfilled Expectations
[32:08] - Purpose of Zechariah's Prophecies
[33:01] - Call to Repentance
[34:31] - Return to God
[35:13] - Summary of Visions
[39:57] - God's Spirit Empowers Us
[46:49] - The King-Priest
[50:07] - Living as Kingdom People
[57:37] - Hope in Restoration
[67:00] - Blood Drive Announcement
[68:36] - Closing Prayer and Encouragement

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was the historical context in which Zechariah delivered his prophecies? ([29:30])
What are some of the symbolic images used in Zechariah's night visions, and what do they represent? ([35:13])
According to Zechariah 1:2-3, what is the condition for God’s return to His people? ([33:38])
How does Zechariah 4:6 describe the source of success for Zerubbabel in rebuilding the temple? ([39:57])

Interpretation Questions

What does the call to "return to God" in Zechariah 1:2-3 imply about the relationship between God and His people? How does this apply to our lives today? ([34:31])
How does the vision of the two olive trees and the lampstand in Zechariah 4:6 illustrate the importance of relying on God's Spirit rather than human strength? ([39:57])
In what ways does the prophecy of a humble king riding a donkey in Zechariah 9:9 point to the New Testament and the coming of Jesus? ([52:03])
How does Zechariah challenge us to live as if God's kingdom is already here, and what does this look like in practical terms? ([50:07])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you faced unfulfilled expectations or uncertainties. How did you respond, and how might Zechariah's message of faithfulness in uncertainty encourage you to trust in God's faithfulness? ([30:56])
Zechariah 1:2-3 emphasizes the importance of returning to God. Are there areas in your life where you feel distant from God? What steps can you take to draw nearer to Him this week? ([34:31])
The vision of the two olive trees and the lampstand in Zechariah 4:6 highlights the need for God's Spirit. In what areas of your life do you need to rely more on God's Spirit rather than your own strength? ([39:57])
Zechariah challenges us to live as kingdom people, embodying truth, justice, and peace. Identify one specific action you can take this week to reflect the values of God's kingdom in your daily life. ([50:07])
The book of Zechariah ends with a vision of a restored Jerusalem, symbolizing hope and restoration. How can you participate in God's work of restoration in your community or personal relationships? ([57:37])
How can you cultivate a mindset of living as if God's kingdom is already here, especially in the face of daily struggles and challenges? ([50:07])
Zechariah's message includes a call to faithfulness and obedience. What specific areas of your life require greater faithfulness and obedience to God's commands? How can you make practical changes to align with this call? ([49:19])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Return to me and I will return to you, says the Lord of heaven's armies. Return to me and I will return to you. And half of you just went to an old Italian love song, I understand. this is a common theme throughout scripture. In fact, if you go all the way to the New Testament, James says, draw near to God and he will draw near to you." [34:31] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "So simply put if he's done it before he do it again. And so our job is to live as if he will. To live as if he will do it again and then leave the when and the how up to him. We trust God that he's worked before we've seen it before he's gonna do it again. I'm gonna live like he's gonna do it again and I'm just gonna leave the when and the how up to him." [01:04:15] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We are invited to rise above the craziness of the day to day so come out of the day to day go up a little bit. See God's hand at work in the past hope for his promised coming kingdom in the future and then re-enter the day to day and live faithfully and obediently where we are living as if the kingdom were already here." [01:05:07] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Remember you are not alone. The Holy Spirit is with you and he is helping you turn your face toward God to rise above your problems and your pain or your joys and your celebration whatever it is. To see his fingerprints all along human history and all along your history. To trust that he will do it again and then to re-enter the problem to re-enter the pain." [01:08:36] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "But you are not alone. Even if you are lonely. You are not alone. And so I leave you with that. Zechariah leaves you with that. Where is God in the vision? He is there. And he is at work. And so we join him." [01:09:15] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Zechariah, part of his purpose is to help make sense of those questions of is this the new kingdom? And if it is, like is this it? Like that's kind of how you need to read it. The book is divided into two sections. And they're very like chapters 1 to 6 or 1 to 8 as we have them written down. Chapters 1 to 8. Is all the night visions and making sense of it. And then there's this big gap in time. And then there's a second section." [32:08] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Zechariah basically changes their question from, is the kingdom of God coming to our people soon? But in his answer, he basically replaces that question and says, will you be the kind of people who are ready to participate in God's kingdom? Whoa. It's subtle, but it's actually profound. Is it time? Is it here? Do we get to participate? Are you already the kind of people who are participating in it so that it can arrive?" [50:07] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "So where is God in the vision? He's there waiting for his people to live and act like his people. That's where God is in the vision. So one of the hard parts of preaching from the minor prophets is I very much believe that they are a specific message to a specific group of people at a specific time. They're not for you in your captivity as we talked about before. They're not for me." [59:26] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "It doesn't God work and then people join. It's people are being faithful and obedient to God and he works through them. Revival comes because people are seeking the face of God not there's revival so then people seek the face of God. It's subtle but again I've noticed I often am like man it would be great if God did something really cool here so that a bunch of people would instead of what if a bunch of people started living as if God was doing great things because he is and I understand that God is always at work and he is on the move but I think sometimes I put parameters on I put a box on what it's gonna look like and then I wait for him to deliver and then I'll join versus the other way around." [01:02:15] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "So if right now your life this sermon hits you where life is making zero sense at all nothing is according to plan hurt is coming where it was supposed to be healing pain is there doctors can't find answers relationships are turning whatever it is just the everyday life stuff. Rise above it have you seen God work before? Trust he's going to do it again and then come back to today living like he will living as if the kingdom is here. Your kingdom come your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." [01:06:08] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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