So
they repented and said, ‘As the LORD of hosts purposed to deal with us
for our ways and deeds, so has he dealt with us.’” Zechariah 1:6b
I continue my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book. For this morning, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zechariah 1:6b, which the commentary outlines as the third of three divisions - entitled God’s Reassuring Words Call Us to Return to Him - for the text vv1-6 (1:1-3, 1:4-6a, 6b). The commentary calls to mind the often quoted saying "you never realize how much you miss something until its gone." Of course in this case, God's people had gone captive and into exile as God sought to get their attention for their wandering from Him (and their resulting wickedness). God speaks through Zechariah and He does not want God's people to repeat what their ancestors had done with their wandering from God. He reminds them that after being taken captive and into exile, they had finally recognized what they had done - missed God's fellowship and returned to Him. This is what God sought through Zechariah and what He still seeks for believers now. Let us not ever forget how gracious God is and even in our punishment we should see what He is doing in our lives and know that He never stops loving us and always seeks for us to return to Him.
Comment and discuss this post.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are always good and You never stop loving us, and Your amazing grace for believers continues to flow - ceaselessly. Thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of Your goodness, love, and amazing grace. My sin continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
